Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

Identical copies of one antibody

Question 2

How are monoclonal antibodies produces

Answer 2

1. An antigen is injected into a mouse
2. The mouse produces lymphocytes, which produce antibodies specific to the antigen
3. Spleen cells which produce the lymphocytes are extracted from the mouse
4. The spleen cells are fused with human cancerous cells called MYELOMA cells which form HYBRIDOMA cells that divide infinitely
5. HYBRIDOMA cells which divide and create millions of antibodies specific to the antigen

Question 3

What are monoclonal antibodies used for

Answer 3

Cancer diagnosis
HIV diagnosis
Pregnancy test kits

Question 4

How are monoclonal antibodies used in pregnancy kits

Answer 4

1. Monoclonal antibodies are attached to the part where the women urinates on
2. If HCG is present then it is binded to the monoclonal antibodies
3. This causes a change in colour which indicates pregnancy
4. These specific monoclonal antibodies only attach to HCG.

Question 5

What are limitations of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 5

They can cause unwanted side effects and are expensive to produce

Question 6

What is one more limitation of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 6

There are some ethical issues regarding the usage of animals to produce monoclonal antibodies, and human tests have proved dangerous, resulting in organ failure