Topic 9 - Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

Are are monoclonal antibodies produced

Answer 1

From a single clone of cells
By stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody
The lymphocytes are combined with a particular kind of tumour cell to make a cell called a hybridoma cells
The cell can both divide and make the antibody
Single ones are claimed to produce many indentical cells that all produce the same antibody
A large amount of antibodies can then be collected and purified

Question 2

What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 2

For diagnosis such as pregnancy test
In labs to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood or to detect pathogens
In research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by binding to them with Florescent dye

Question 3

Affects of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 3

Produce more side affects than expected