Topic 2 -Elisa tests

Question 1

What are elisa tests used for?

Answer 1

ee if a patient has any antibodies to a certain antigen (or any antigens to a certain antibody)

Question 2

What are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 2

Each clone of plasma cells produces only one type of antibody

Question 3

How does an elisa test work?

Answer 3

-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)

Question 4

What is a direct elisa test

Answer 4

use a single antibody that is complementary to the antigen being tested for

Question 5

What is an indirect elisa

Answer 5

two different antibodies (known as primary and secondary antibodies)