5.6 - Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

ELISA process

Answer 1

1. Add the sample (containing the target protein) to a well plate where the target protein can attach to the well.
2. Add the antibody that is specific to the target protein. These antibodies will bind to the target proteins attached to the well.
3. Wash the well to remove any unbound antibodies.
4. Add a second antibody that will bind to the first antibody. These secondary antibodies are attached to an enzyme.
5. Wash the well again to remove any unbound secondary antibody.
6. Add a solution containing substrate to the well. The enzyme attached to the second antibody will act on the substrate to cause a colour change. The intensity of the colour indicates the quantity of protein present.

Question 2

2 types of ELISA test

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Answer 2

1. the direct test (uses 1 antibody)
2. the indirect test (uses 2 antibodies)

Question 3

Use of monoclonal antibodies (4 points):

Answer 3

• diagnosis of disease - binds to specific cell types to identify infected cells
• treatment of disease - bind to specific cells - bringing therapeutic drugs with it
• pregnancy testing - bind to a pregnancy hormone in home pregnancy testing kits
• detecting certain cancers - can bind to prostate specific antigens to identify prostate cancer in men

Question 4

where are monoclonal antibodies produced from?

Answer 4

Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of plasma cells
* each of these antibodies are identical so they bind to a specific molecule

Question 5

What is an ELISA test?

Answer 5

Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbant Assay test uses monoclonal antibodies to detect both the presence and quantity of protein within a sample (normally used to check whether a patient has antigens for a pathogen and hence has the disease)