monoclonal antibodies

• describe monoclonal antibodies

  antibodies specific to one antigen through its particular binding site
• describe process of production of monoclonal antibodies

  1. inject mouse with specific antigen
  2. stimulate immune response for b lymphocytes to produce antibodies specific to antigen
  3. fuse b lymphocytes and tumour cell to form hybridoma
  4. hybridoma divide and produce antibodies specific to antigen
  5. clone hybridoma cells
  6. collect and purify antibodies
• give uses of monoclonal antibodies

  pregnancy test, treat cancer and research
• describe use of monoclonal antibodies in pregnancy test

  bind to specific hormone of pregnant woman with blue dye to form line across test
• describe use of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment

  bind to specific antigens of cancer cell (tumour markers) with drug or chemical to kill cancer cell
• describe use of monoclonal antibodies in research

  locate, identify and measure levels of specific substances
• give disadvantages to monoclonal antibodies

  more side effects than expected