Biology Topic Practice

Production of Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells and are specific to one binding site on an antigen.

What is a "hybridoma" cell?

What is Production of Monoclonal Antibodies?

"Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell."

Question 1

Why are mice used in the production of monoclonal antibodies?

Question 2

Why are tumour cells mixed with lymphocytes when producing monoclonal antibodies?

Question 3

Why are the antibodies produced in this method called monoclonal?

The Production Process

Stimulate mouse lymphocytes to make a specific antibody.

Combine lymphocyte with a tumour cell to make a hybridoma.

Hybridoma cells divide rapidly and produce the antibody.

Exam Tip

Tumour cells are used because they can divide indefinitely in a lab.

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