This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser within Monoclonal Antibodies for GCSE Biology. Production and medical applications of identical antibodies, hybridoma cells, diagnostics It is section 16 of 17 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 16 of 17
Practice
15 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser
Hybridoma Production
- Immunise mouse with antigen
- Extract B cells from spleen
- Fuse B cells + myeloma cells = hybridoma
- Hybridoma = antibody ability + immortality
- Select, clone, mass produce
Applications
- Pregnancy test: detects hCG hormone; line = positive
- Cancer treatment: targets cancer surface antigens
- ELISA: detects pathogens or antibodies in blood
- Blood typing: identifies ABO antigens
- Drug delivery: antibody carries toxin to cancer cells
Common Marks Lost
- Saying hybridoma = B cell + T cell (it is B cell + myeloma)
- Confusing mono (identical) with polyclonal (mixed)
- Pregnancy test "detects pregnancy" — it detects hCG
- Saying monoclonal antibodies are vaccines (they are not)
- Not explaining WHY myeloma cells are used (immortality)