Rapid test kit and test methods

Question 1

what is the ideal system for rapid methods

Answer 1

1 accurate
2 speedy
3 cost efficient
4 simple to perform
5 good technical service
6 space requirement
7 readily available (that is reagent and supplies)

Question 2

what is an antibody

Answer 2

antibodies are proteins that bind very tightly to their targets(antigen). they are produced as a defense against infection. each antibody molecule is made of two identical light chains and heavy chains, so the two antigen-binding sites are identical.

Question 3

what is an antigen

Answer 3

an antigen is a compound that elicits the antibody to response in animal

Question 4

what are epitopes

Answer 4

epitopes is the particular structural feature of the antigen that is recognized by and binds to the antigen recognition site of the antibody

Question 5

explain immunofluorescence method

Answer 5

specific fluorescence conjugated antibodies which react with antigens of a pathogen are prepared in a test kit
it is mixed with food medium suspected to contain a specific pathogen
it is followed incubation and placement of reagent
then examined under a fluorescence microscope for any presence of cells showing fluorescence
if it shows fluorescence, means there is a specific binding between the antibody and the antigen

Question 6

explain reverse passive latex agglutination method (RPLA)

Answer 6

this method has been developed to detect toxins of several food borne pathogens
the antibody of specific toxins is immobilized on latex particles ( microbes of latex)
they are then mixed with a food sample preparation suspected to contain toxin (antigen)
if the specific toxin is present in the sample, a ring or button will appear

Question 7

explain antibody specificity

Answer 7

an individual animal can make billions of different antibodies. each antibody has a distinct antigen-binding site. each antibody recognizes antigens with great specificity.

Question 8

immunofluorescence method