Practice Questions

1.What are monoclonal antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies produced by a single clone of cells. They are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen, allowing them to target a specific chemical or cell in the body.

2. Outline the steps on how to produce monoclonal antibodies

1.A source of antigens are injected into the mouse. The mouse lymphocytes(white blood cells) will produce antibodies in response to the injected antigens. 

2. A sample of blood is withdrawn from the mouse 

3.The blood sample will contain mouse lymphocytes, antibodies (green) and antigens (red).

4. These lymphocytes which produced the antibodies to the injected antigen are fused with a tumour cell to form a hybridoma cell

5. The hybridoma cell will be cloned by diving to produce may identical cells. Each of these identical cells will produce the same antibody (monoclonal antibody).

A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified.

3. Why are monoclonal antibodies so useful?

Monoclonal antibodies are very useful because of their high specificity. They bind to only one specific antigen on a particular cell or molecule.