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
• What is the problem with lymphocytes in antibody production?

  They do not divide by mitosis
• What is a hybridoma?

  A cell formed by fusing a lymphocyte and tumor cell
• What is the advantage of hybridoma cells?

  They can produce antibodies and divide by mitosis
• What is done after selecting a hybridoma cell?

  It is allowed to divide to form clones
• 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?

  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
  • Target specific chemicals or cells in the body
  • Have a large number of medical uses
• What will you find in the vision workbook related to monoclonal antibodies?

  Plenty of questions on monoclonal antibodies
• What should you be able to describe after watching the video?

  Monoclonal antibodies and their production