Unit 1 Part 1d (Detecting Proteins Using Antibodies)

Question 1

Describe immunoassay techniques

Answer 1

Used to detect and identify specific proteins
Use stocks of antibodies with the same specificity, known as monoclonal antibodies

Question 2

An antibody specific the protein antigen is linked to a chemical “label”. Describe this label

Answer 2

Often a reporter enzyme producing a colour change, but chemiluminescence, fluorescence and other reporters can be used.
In some cases the assay uses a specific antigen to detect the presence of antibodies

Question 3

What is Western blotting?

Answer 3

A technique used after SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.
The separated proteins from the gel are transferred onto a solid medium.
The proteins can be identified using specific antibodies that have reporter enzymes attached