Anitbodies Flashcards
Define antibody
A protein that binds to antigens to help destroy.
What structure does antibodies have
A quaternary structure
What are antibodies produced by
Plasma cells
How does the specific antibody react with an antigen on the surface of the non self material
By binding to them, each antibody has 2 identical binding sites. They are complimentary to a specific antigen
What are antibodies made up of
4 polypeptide chains.
One pair are long and are called heavy chains
The other pair are shorter and known as light chains
What is the variable region
The binding site. It is different on different antibodies
What does the constant region do in the antibody
It binds to receptors in cells such as B cells
How do antibodies lead to the destruction of an antigen
They cause agglutination of the bacteria cells (each antibody attaches to 2 bacteria cell, causing them to clump together) clumps of bacterial cells are formed, making it easier for the phagocytes to locate them as they are less spread out within the body
They then serve as markers that stimulate phagocytes to engulf the bacterial cells to which they are attached
What’s a monoclonal antibody
When a single type of antibody can be isolated and cloned
What do monoclonal antibodies do with cancer cells
They are produced that are specified to antigens on cancer cells
These antibodies are given to a patient and attach themselves to the receptors on their cancer cells
They attach to the surface of their cancer cells and block the chemical signals that stimulate their uncontrolled growth
What’s indirect monoclonal antibody therapy
Attaching a cytotoxic drug to the monoclonal antibody, so when ur attached to cancer cells, it kills them
What’s the ethical issues with monoclonal antibodies
Involved in mice. They are used to produced both antibodies and tumour cells. Deliberately injecting cancer into mice
It is important that patients have full knowledge of the risk and benefits of those drugs before giving permission (some deaths have occurred)
Testing for new drugs presents certain dangers
Suggest why antibodies made of proteins rather then carbohydrates or fats, are more likely to be effective against a wide range of diseases
There must be a massive variety of antibodies as each responds to a different antigen, of which there are millions. Only proteins have the diversity of molecular structure to produce millions of different types
Distinguish between an antigen and an antibody
An antigen is a molecule that triggers immune response by lymphocytes while an antibody is the molecule that has a completely shape to the antigen and is produced in response to it
Discuss whether drugs trials should be limited to vouchers who are terminally ill with a condition that the monoclonal antibody is deigned to treat
+Removes the risk of healthy volunteers been harmed
They have less to loose
-Could also be unreliable as sample size may be smaller as it’s not typical
