PreLab #11 Flashcards
What is an antigen?
i. An antigen is the target molecule
What is an antibody?
i. Antibody is enzyme coupled when providing a colorless substrate
What is an ELISA?
i. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay; for detecting and quantifying soluble substances like proteins
What is the role of a primary antibody in an ELISA?
i. The role of primary antibody is to bind the antigen
What is the role of a secondary antibody in an ELISA?
i. The role of secondary antibody is to bind the primary antibody
What portion of the antibody molecule does a secondary antibody typically recognize?
i. Fc Region
What does “conjugation” refer to in the context of producing a secondary antibody?
i. Chemically attaching a label
Production of color is indicative of a positive result in an ELISA. How is that color generated? i.e. What chemical reaction occurs to produce that color?
i. The color is yellow, and the chemical reaction is that the target protein is present.
List the four main steps of an indirect ELISA.
i. Coating: antigen is absorbed to the well
ii. Blocking: Blocking buffer is added to cover the surfaces on the well
iii. Primary Antibody: Primary antibody is added and binds to the antigen
iv. Secondary antibody: When color change occurs
Differentiate between HIV and AIDS.
i. HIV: The virus that infects and weakens the immune system. Can be managed with antiretroviral therapy.
ii. AIDS: Final stage of HIV infection occurs when immune system is severely compromised.
What does it mean that an individual is HIV positive?
i. It means that the HIV virus is present
If an individual is HIV positive, does this mean the individual also has AIDS? Indicate Yes/No and explain your answer.
i. No it doesn’t, they are related but they are at different stages. HIV is the virus while AIDS is the most advanced version of the virus
