| Characteristic | Monoclonal | Polyclonal |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity | Very high - one epitope only | Lower - multiple epitopes |
| Consistency | Always identical | Varies between animals |
| Supply | Unlimited production | Limited by animal lifespan |
| Contamination | Pure - single clone | Mixed - many clones |
| Cost (long-term) | Lower - mass production | Higher - need animals |
| Sensitivity | Lower - single binding site | Higher - multiple sites |
This key facts covers Advantages of Monoclonal Over Polyclonal Antibodies within Monoclonal Antibodies for GCSE Biology. Production and medical applications of identical antibodies, hybridoma cells, diagnostics It is section 7 of 17 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Monoclonal Antibodies
What does the term 'monoclonal antibody' mean?
Explain why hybridoma cells are needed to produce monoclonal antibodies.
Quick recall flashcards
What is hCG?
Human chorionic gonadotrophin - a hormone only produced during pregnancy, detected by pregnancy tests
What are myeloma cells?
Immortal cancer cells that divide continuously and are used to create hybridoma cells