monoclonal antibodies

• What monoclonal antibodies?


  identical antibodies produced in labs from a single cell of immune cells.
• What are both the cloned cells & antibodies produced?

  genetically identical
• How are monoclonal antibodies useful?

  makes them useful in diagnosing & treating diseases as they are targeted to a specific antigen.
• What is a lymphocyte?


  antibody producing WBC that cannot divide (AKA B cell.)
• What is a tumour cell?

  cancer cell that reproduces rapidly but cannot produce antibodies.
• What is a hybridoma?

  A cell formed from a combination of a lymphocyte & tumour cell that can divide & produce antibodies.
• How do you make monoclonal antibodies?

  1). inject a mouse with the pathogen

  2). stimulate a lymphocyte to make the desired antibody

  3). combine with a tumour cell to create a hybridoma

  4). provide with the correct nutrients and conditions and allow mitosis to take place creating clones of the og hybridoma

  5). you now have cells that will all produce the desired specific antibody

  6). extract the antibodies from the hybridomas & purify
• What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies?

  -pregnancy tests

  -diagnosing disease

  -treating disease eg: cancer

  -measuring & monitoring

  -research
• What is the spleen used for?

  produces lymphocytes.
• How does injecting a monoclonal antibody help treat a person suffering from disease?

  it binds to the virus/ antibody is complementary to antigen. WBCs kill/engulf the virus.