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14 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are monoclonal antibodies? |
Antibodies that are clones from one parent cell Specific to one type of antigen |
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Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced |
1. Specific antigen injected into an animal (e.g. mouse) 2. B-lymphocytes producing complementary antibodies extracted. 3. B-lymphocytes fuse with myeloma cells to form hybridoma cells - these cells can divide and produce antibody. 4. Hybridoma cells cultured. 5. Monoclonal antibodies collected and purified. |
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Outline the uses of monoclonal antibodies |
Detection of pathogens Location of cancer cells and blood clots Treatment of cancer Used in pregnancy test kits |
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What are myeloma cells? |
Type of tumour cell |
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What do pregnancy kits test for? |
hCG in urine |
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What does a pregnancy test consist of? |
A stick containing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to hCG: mAbs attached to a blue bead (free to move) mAbs fixed to the test stick |
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Describe what happens to the test stick if a woman is pregnant |
hCG in urine binds to mAbs attached to a blue bead. mAbs with hCG diffuse up dipstick. mAbs fixed to the stick bind to hCG. Blue line forms. |
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Describe what happens to the test stick if a woman is not pregnant |
No hCG in urine so a blue line is not formed |
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What is the advantage of using monoclonal antibodies to test for pathogens? |
Specific to one particular antigen Very accurate Quick results |
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Why can monoclonal antibodies be used to target cancer cells? |
Cancer cells have specific antigens called 'tumour markers' on their membranes. mAbs are specific to one type of antigen so can be targeted to 'tumour markers' without damaging other cells. |
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Describe how monoclonal antibodies can be used to diagnose cancer |
mAbs tagged to a radioactive substance. mAbs injected into the patient's bloodstream. mAbs bind to 'tumour markers' on cancer cells. Emitted radiation is detected using a specialised scanner enabling doctors to determine the location of cancer cells. |
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How can monoclonal antibodies be used to target drugs to cancer cells? |
mAbs attached to an anti-cancer drug. mAbs injected into the patient's bloodstream. mAbs bind to 'tumour markers' on cancer cells. Anti-cancer drug destroys cancer cells. |
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Why are cancer treatments that use monoclonal antibodies favoured over traditional treatments? |
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy target rapidly dividing cells. Healthy cells (e.g. hair follicle cells, bone marrow cells) are damaged as a consequence, producing unpleasant side effects. mAbs only target cancer cells, reducing damage to normal cells. |
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How can monoclonal antibodies be used to locate blood clots? |
mAbs tagged to a radioactive substance. mAbs target and bind to specific proteins in blood clots Radiation emitted by mAbs is detected, enabling the location of blood clots to be identified. |
