Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

Antibodies with the same tertiary structure

Question 2

What is direct therapy and what are the benefits

Answer 2

Monoclonal antibodies for cancer cell antigens produced and given to the patient
They attach to the cancer cell and block the chemical signals which lead to uncontrolled cell growth
— non toxic and highly specific

Question 3

What is indirect therapy and what are the benefits

Answer 3

Links cytotoxic drug to monoclonal antibodies
When the antibody attaches to the cancer cell it kills it
— doctors can concentrate the radiation at tumour sites, reducing the amount of radiation that reaches the rest of the tissue

Question 4

3 main uses of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 4

Cancer treatment
Pregnancy testing
Medical diagnosis with Elisa test

Question 5

Explain how pregnancy tests work

Answer 5

1: antibodies complemtray to hgc protein are bound to a coloured bead
2: hgc in urine bind to antibodies
3: urine moves up the strip carrying beads
4: first set of immobilised antibodies binds to hgc creating the first blue line, the test line
5: second set of immobilised antibodies bind to antibody with coloured bead creating the second blue line, the control line

Question 6

Explain how the Elisa test works for diseases

Answer 6

1: antigens stuck to vessel
2: blood sample added
3: antibodies for hiv will bind to antigen