Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What is the white blood cell type used to create monoclonal antibodies:

Answer 1

B lymphocytes

Question 2

What does B lymphocytes do:

Answer 2

Produces antibodies but doesn’t divide

Question 3

What other cells are used to make monoclonal antibodies:

Answer 3

Tumour cells

Question 4

What do tumour cells do:

Answer 4

Divide but don’t produce antibodies

Question 5

How do you make monoclonal antibodies:

Answer 5

‘Mix’ wbc’s and another cell to make cells that divide and produce antibodies (hybridoma cells), then isolate the antibodies they produce and use them for treatment.

Question 6

What are monoclonal antibodies used for:

Answer 6

To help cure cancer and in pregnancy tests

Question 7

What do monoclonal antibodies do:

Answer 7

They attach onto antigens on pathogens and signal up near wbc’s that this foreign cell should be ingested

Question 8

Why are monoclonal antibodies not used as often as you might expect:

Answer 8

They have unexpected side effects