AQA Biology 4.3.2.1–4.3.2.2
Monoclonal antibodies
Antibodies that bind one target and nothing else. Combine two cells to make them, then see what they are used for.
Start here
One line or two.
A home pregnancy test shows its result within minutes, from just a few drops of urine.
If you had to guess, does the strip find one exact chemical, or anything unusual in the sample?
Two cells, one job
Why fuse two cells?
Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells. They are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen, so they can target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body. To make them, two kinds of cell are combined. Pick each.
Mouse lymphocytes are stimulated to make one particular antibody. But they don’t keep dividing, so they can’t make it in large amounts.
Production
From mouse to bottle.
Step through how monoclonal antibodies are produced.
A mouse is injected with the antigen, stimulating its lymphocytes to make a particular antibody.
Uses · and a catch
One target, many uses.
Tap each use. Then weigh them up: monoclonal antibodies create more side effects than expected, and they are not yet as widely used as everyone hoped when they were first developed.
Think again · which part makes the antibody?
“The tumour cell makes the antibody.”
Your call
ChooseIn a hybridoma cell, which part lets it make the antibody?
Sort
Advantage or disadvantage?
Place each point.
Tap a card, then tap the box it belongs in. Tap a placed card to take it back.
Command words in this lesson
- Describe
- How they are produced, step by step.
- Explain
- How a use depends on binding one antigen.
- Evaluate
- Advantages and disadvantages, then a judgement.
Key fact
A hybridoma cell can both divide and make one antibody. Cloned, it makes large amounts of identical antibodies that bind one antigen only.
Key note · AQA 4.3.2.1–4.3.2.2
Monoclonal antibodies
- Monoclonal antibodies come from a single clone of cells and are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen.
- Mouse lymphocytes are stimulated to make an antibody, then combined with a tumour cell to make a hybridoma, which can both divide and make the antibody.
- Single hybridoma cells are cloned; the antibody is collected and purified.
- Uses: pregnancy tests; lab tests for hormones, chemicals and pathogens; research with fluorescent dye; cancer treatment. More side effects than expected; not as widely used as hoped.
Photograph this card. Tomorrow, cover it and say each line first.
Previous and next
Connects to
Ask MrBadmus
Not sure why the two cells are combined?
Drawings are schematic.