Triple Science Only - Producing Monoclonal Antibodies (Higher Tier)
Laura Armstrong & Joe Wolfensohn
Teachers
Contents
Recall Questions
This topic requires prior knowledge of the immune response, including the roles of white blood cells and antibodies.
What is an antibody and what does it do?
An antibody is a protein produced by lymphocytes that binds to a specific antigen to help destroy pathogens.
What is an antigen?
An antigen is a molecule found on the surface of cells (including pathogens) that triggers an immune response.
What is a tumour?
A mass of cells dividing uncontrollably.
Topic Explainer Video
Check out this @JoeDoesBiology video that explains producing monoclonal antibodies, then read the study notes. Once you’ve gone through them, don’t forget to try the practice questions!
Producing Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies produced from a single clone of white blood cells. They are highly specific to one type of antigen.
The Process of Producing Monoclonal Antibodies:
- Antigen Injection
A specific antigen is injected into a mouse. - Lymphocyte Extraction
The mouse produces lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in response to the antigen. These cells are removed from the animal. - Fusion with Tumour Cells
Lymphocytes do not divide easily, so they are fused with a type of tumour cell that divides rapidly. This forms a hybridoma cell. - Selection of Correct Hybridoma
Scientists identify and select the hybridoma cells that produce the correct antibody for the specific antigen that was injected. - Cloning
The selected hybridoma cells divide by mitosis to produce many identical cells. - Monoclonal Antibody Collection
These clones produce large quantities of identical (monoclonal) antibodies which are collected and purified.
The steps to produce monoclonal antibodies.
Key Terms and Definitions
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Antibody |
A protein that binds specifically to a particular antigen. |
|
Antigen |
A molecule on the surface of pathogens that triggers an immune response. |
|
Hybridoma |
A fused cell made from a lymphocyte and a tumour cell. |
|
Monoclonal antibody |
Identical antibodies produced from a single clone of white blood cells. |
No answer provided.
Exam Tip
When describing how monoclonal antibodies are produced, you must mention the fusion of a lymphocyte with a tumour cell to form a hybridoma. It is the hybridomas that then divide by mitosis to make many clones (not the antibodies themselves).
No answer provided.
Practice Question
Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced. (5 marks)
Model Answer:
- An antigen is injected into a mouse.
- The mouse produces lymphocytes that make specific antibodies against the antigen.
- These cells are fused with tumour cells to form hybridoma cells.
- The hybridomas that produce the correct antibody are cloned to produce large quantities of monoclonal antibodies.
- The monoclonal antibodies are collected and purified.
More Practice
Try to answer the practice question from the TikTok video on your own, then watch the video to see how well you did!