MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES

Question 1

what are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

antibodies produced from a single clone of plasma cells

Question 2

uses of mAbs

Answer 2

diagnosing diseases
emergency therapeutics (antivenom)
cancer treatment
drug screening
home pregnancy kits
scientific research

Question 3

ethics of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 3

mice are intentionally induced with cancer
some deaths have occurred when used to treat MS
use of transgenic mice - ethics of genetic engineering
requires use of drug trials which could be considered unsafe

Question 4

what is the ELISA TEST

Answer 4

enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
uses antibodies to identify proteins and their quantities in a sample

Question 5

describe the direct ELISA test

Answer 5

1. mobile antibodies complementary to antigen being tested for have a dye attached so they move forward
2. another antibody also complementary in shape is immobilised in the test
3. another antibody is immobilised and complementary to the first antibody

Question 6

describe the indirect ELISA test

Answer 6

1. add test sample to the base of the beaker
2. wash to remove unbound test sample
3. add antibody complimentary to the antigen being tested for
4. wash to remove unbound antibody
5. add second antibody complementary in shape to first antibody which has an enzyme attached and will bind to the first antibody
6. add colourless substrate for the enzyme. enzyme catalyses reaction releasing coloured products

Question 7

what does intensity of colour in the indirect ELISA test represent

Answer 7

quantity of antigen presented in test sample