Pregnancy tests

• What is the role of monoclonal antibodies in pregnancy tests?

  They detect the hormone hCG in urine
• What hormone do pregnant women produce that is detected by pregnancy tests?

  hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
• How do pregnancy tests indicate a positive result?

  The test strip turns blue when hCG is present
• What are the main components of a pregnancy test strip?

  • Fixed monoclonal antibodies specific to hCG
  • Free-moving blue beads covered in monoclonal antibodies
• What happens to the test strip if a woman is not pregnant?

  The blue beads flow past fixed antibodies
• What occurs when hCG is present in the urine during a pregnancy test?

  hCG binds to blue beads and fixed antibodies
• What color indicates a positive pregnancy test result?

  Blue
• What is the purpose of the second line in most pregnancy tests?

  • Acts as a control line
  • Confirms the test is working properly
• Why is it important to read the instructions before using a pregnancy test?

  Different tests may work differently
• How does the presence of hCG affect the movement of blue beads in the test?

  hCG causes beads to bind and get stuck
• What is the appearance of a pregnancy test when a woman is pregnant?

  It shows a blue strip
• What is the significance of the fixed antibodies on the test strip?

  They capture hCG from the urine
• If a woman uses a pregnancy test and sees no blue strip, what does that indicate?

  She is likely not pregnant
• What is the relationship between the blue beads and the fixed antibodies in a pregnancy test?

  Beads bind to antibodies when hCG is present