Monoclonal Antibodies (T)

• What is meant by a monoclonal antibody?

  Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies produced from a single clone of hybridoma cells.
• How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

  • Inject an antigen into a mouse
  • Collect lymphocytes from the mouse
  • Fuse lymphocytes with tumor cells to create hybridoma
  • Select a single hybridoma cell producing the desired antibody
  • Allow the hybridoma cell to divide and form a clone
  • Collect and purify the monoclonal antibodies
• What type of cells produce antibodies?

  White blood cells called lymphocytes produce antibodies.
• What triggers lymphocytes to produce antibodies?

  Antigens trigger lymphocytes to produce antibodies.
• What are antigens?

  Antigens are foreign objects detected by the body that trigger an immune response.
• Why are tumor cells used in the production of monoclonal antibodies?

  Tumor cells are used because they divide by mitosis.
• What is a hybridoma?

  A hybridoma is a cell produced by fusing a lymphocyte with a tumor cell.
• What is the significance of monoclonal antibodies being specific to one binding site?

  They can target specific chemicals or cells in the body.
• What are some applications of monoclonal antibodies?

  • Pregnancy testing kits
  • Cancer treatments
  • Targeting specific cells or chemicals in the body