(Paper 1) 3.5 Disease: Higher Tier content Flashcards
(24 cards)
What does “monoclonal” mean?
It means identical copies of one specific type of antibody.
What are antibodies?
Proteins produced by lymphocytes that bind to specific antigens on pathogens.
What is an antigen?
A protein on the surface of a pathogen or other foreign substance that triggers an immune response.
Why are antibodies specific?
Each antibody can only bind to a matching antigen.
What is the first step in making monoclonal antibodies?
Injecting an antigen into a mouse.
What cells in the mouse make antibodies?
Lymphocytes, found in the spleen.
What are myeloma cells?
Cancerous white blood cells that divide rapidly but do not produce antibodies.
What are hybridoma cells?
Fused cells made from a mouse lymphocyte and a myeloma cell – they divide indefinitely and produce antibodies.
What do hybridoma cells produce?
Millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen.
What hormone do pregnancy tests detect?
HCG – found only in the urine of pregnant women.
How do monoclonal antibodies work in a pregnancy test?
They are attached to the test stick and bind to HCG, causing a colour change or pattern.
Why are monoclonal antibodies used in pregnancy tests?
Because they are highly specific and only bind to HCG.
What do monoclonal antibodies bind to on cancer cells?
Antigens on the surface of cancerous cells.
How can monoclonal antibodies help diagnose cancer?
They bind to tumour cells, clumping them together so the tumour can be detected or removed.
Name two ways monoclonal antibodies are used to treat cancer.
Deliver drugs directly to the tumour
Trigger the immune system to attack cancer cells
What communicable diseases can monoclonal antibodies help diagnose?
HIV/AIDS
Herpes
Chlamydia
How can monoclonal antibodies help in lab diagnosis?
They can be attached to fluorescent dyes, which glow under UV light, making infected cells easier to see.
What is a production benefit of monoclonal antibodies?
Once designed, they can be produced quickly in large numbers.
What was the original hope for monoclonal antibodies?
That they would be a “magic bullet” – able to identify and treat many conditions easily.
Why aren’t monoclonal antibodies used as widely as once hoped?
They can cause unwanted side effects due to complex interactions in the human body.
What is a practical limitation of monoclonal antibodies?
They are expensive to produce.
What ethical concern is related to monoclonal antibody production?
It involves injecting mice and removing spleen cells, which some people disagree with morally.
What drug trial raised ethical concerns in 2006?
A trial involving monoclonal antibodies to treat arthritis and leukaemia caused organ failure in human volunteers, despite prior animal testing.
What did the 2006 trial highlight about drug development?
The need for extreme caution and rigorous testing before using drugs in humans.
