Monoclonal Antibodies

• What is a monoclonal antibody?

  Antibodies produced from a single hybridoma clone
• How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

  By fusing lymphocytes with tumor cells
• What type of white blood cells produce antibodies?

  Lymphocytes
• What do antibodies stick to?

  Pathogens
• What are foreign objects that trigger antibody production called?

  Antigens
• How can scientists trigger lymphocytes to produce antibodies?

  By introducing antigens into the body
• What is the role of antibodies in pregnancy testing kits?

  They detect specific hormones in urine
• What happens when a mouse is injected with an antigen?

  Lymphocytes produce antibodies against it
• Why do lymphocytes need to be fused with tumor cells?

  To enable them to divide by mitosis
• What is the name of the cell produced by fusing a lymphocyte with a tumor cell?

  Hybridoma
• What can hybridoma cells do that lymphocytes cannot?

  Divide by mitosis
• What is the significance of selecting a single hybridoma cell?

  It ensures all antibodies are identical
• What do we call antibodies produced from a single hybridoma clone?

  Monoclonal antibodies
• Why are monoclonal antibodies specific?

  They target one binding site on one antigen
• What is a benefit of monoclonal antibodies in medicine?

  They can target specific chemicals or cells
• What are the key facts about monoclonal antibodies?

  • Produced from a single clone of hybridoma cells
  • Specific to one binding site on one protein antigen
  • Can target specific chemicals or cells
  • Have numerous medical applications
• What will you find in the vision workbook related to monoclonal antibodies?

  Plenty of questions on monoclonal antibodies