Monoclonal Antibodies Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
What is a monoclonal antibody?
An identical antibody produced from a single clone of cells, which binds to only one specific antigen.
What are the steps in producing monoclonal antibodies?
e.g. antibodies against a cancer cell antigen
- Inject a mouse with the antigen so its lymphocytes make the desired antibody (but lymphocytes do not divide).
- Fuse a lymphocyte with a tumour cell to make a hybridoma cell.
- The hybridoma divides rapidly, producing large amounts of the antibody, which is collected and purified.
What is a hybridoma cell?
A cell made by fusing a lymphocyte with a tumour cell; it produces the desired antibody and also divides rapidly.
What do the monoclonal antibodies in a pregnancy test bind to?
The hormone HCG, found in the urine of a pregnant woman; a second set of immobilised antibodies traps the complex, giving a coloured line.
How are monoclonal antibodies used to locate blood clots or cancer cells in the body?
Antibodies specific to antigens on the clot or cancer cell are bound to a radioactive or fluorescent marker, injected, and detected by a scanner where they bind.
True or false? Monoclonal antibody treatment for cancer damages healthy cells as much as radiotherapy does.
False. Monoclonal antibodies bind only to antigens on the cancer cells, so healthy cells are largely unharmed and there are fewer side effects.