Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What are antibodies produced by

Answer 1

White blood cells called lymphocytes

Lymphocytes produce antibodies against anything that the body defects as foreign

Question 2

Pros of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 2

They are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen so that monoclonal antibody targets specific chemicals or cells in the body

Question 3

Used of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 3

They can identify particular molecules in a tissue or cell by binding to them with a fluorescent dye. Areas with lots of these are highlighted
Identify levels of hormones in blood
Used to test blood samples for pathogens such as HIV

Question 4

another use of monoclonal antibodies (p)

Answer 4

Pregnancy tests
Pregnant women produce a hormone called HCG
Monoclonal antibodies bind to this hormones antigens
If urine contains HCG the antibodies bind and this shows that the Person is pregnant
If person is not pregnant antibodies will not bind

Question 5

Another use of monoclonal antibodies (td)

Answer 5

monoclonal antibodies can be produced to bind to target cells in the body eg. Cancer cells
We can attach anti cancer drugs to monoclonal antibodies and when bonded to cancer cells it delivers drugs directly to tumours
This is effective as monoclonal antibodies can not harm body cells