Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

what are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

antibodies produced from a single type of cloned cell, specific to one binding site on one antigen

Question 2

what can they be used for(3)

Answer 2

1) detect pathogens
2) treating diseases
3) identify specific molecules being investigated

Question 3

why are mice used to get MCA(3)

Answer 3

1) small (cab house large number of them -> practical )
2) fast reproduction rate (lots of mice)
3) cheap to keep (lower research costs)

Question 4

step 1 of making MCA with mice

Answer 4

inject mouse with antigen complimentary to antibody you want to make ; mouse will start an immune response and produces monoclonal antibodies complimentary to antigen

Question 5

step 2 of making MCA with mice

Answer 5

lymphocytes combined with particular type of cancer cells as rumours clone rapidly ; new cells divide outside of body to make MCA

Question 6

step 3 of making MCA with mice

Answer 6

Hybrid in as are checked to ensure they have the correct MCA and cloned to make large numbers of identical cells

Question 7

step 4 of making MCA with mice

Answer 7

large amounts of MCA collected and purified to produce medicine

Question 8

how does MCA help with cancer diagnosis

Answer 8

cancerous cells have antigens so monoclonal antigens can be designed to be complementary and they will bind and clump the cells together

Question 9

how does this help

Answer 9

it will be easier to identify where a tumour is so it can be removed

Question 10

what else can MCA do(2)

Answer 10

1) carry toxic drugs to tumour to stop growth

2) encourage immune system to attack cancer cells directly

Question 11

other diseases that MCA can help identify ?

Answer 11

HIV

AIDS