Monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

Describe how a monoclonal antibody can be produced?

Answer 1

An antigen is injected into a mouse.

The mouse lymphocyes produce antbodies specific to the antigen

Mouse lymphocytes are fused with myelomas (cancer cells) to make a cell called a hybridoma.

The hybridoma cells divide and produce monoclonal antibodies specific to the antigen

Antibodies are collected.

Question 2

What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 2

• pregnancy tests
• cancer diagnosis treatment

Question 3

How are monoclonal antibodies used in pregnancy tests?

Answer 3

Monoclonal antibodies bind with a hormone called HCG
If present, HCG will bind to the monoclonal antibodies on the test stick.

Question 4

How are monoclonal antibodies used in cancer diagnosis treatment?

Answer 4

Monoclonal antibodies can bind to antigens of the cancer cells and clump them together. Cancer tumors can be easily identified which can be treated and removed.

Question 5

Advantages and disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies:

Answer 5

• Monoclonal antibodies can be produced quickly
• Created more side effects than expected
• Expensive to develop

Question 6

What are some of the ethical issues on producing monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 6

the use of animals to produce monoclonal antibodies

Question 7

What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies in treating cancer?

Answer 7

• Trigger immune system to attack cancer cells
• Carrying drugs to attack cancer cells
• Block receptors on the surface of cancer cells