What is the difference between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

Question 1

Monoclonal antibody function

Answer 1

They are only able to recognise the same epitope of an antigen

Question 1

Monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

Lab made antibodies generated by identical B cells which are clones from a single parent cell.
Produced ex-vivo

Question 2

Polyclonal antibodies

Answer 2

Produced using different B cell clones in the body.
Produced in-vivo

Question 3

Polyclonal antibody function

Answer 3

They are able to recognise and bind to many different epitopes of a single antigen

Question 4

Sensitivity

Answer 4

Polyclonal antibodies are more sensitive as they are able to detect low quantity proteins as they can bind to multiple epitopes and their high affinity

Question 5

Specificity

Answer 5

Monoclonal antibodies are more specific as they bind to a single epitope which leads to low cross-reactivity unlike polyclonal antibodies which have a high cross-reactivity due to their recognition of multiple epitopes.