Topic 2 -Elisa tests Flashcards
What are elisa tests used for?
ee if a patient has any antibodies to a certain antigen (or any antigens to a certain antibody)
What are monoclonal antibodies
Each clone of plasma cells produces only one type of antibody
How does an elisa test work?
-An enzyme is attached to antibodies
-When this enzyme reacts with a certain substrate, a coloured product is formed, causing the solution in the reaction vessel to change colour
-If a colour change occurs, this shows that the antigen or antibody of interest is present in the sample being tested (e.g. blood plasma)
What is a direct elisa test
use a single antibody that is complementary to the antigen being tested for
What is an indirect elisa
two different antibodies (known as primary and secondary antibodies)
