There are several monoclonal antibody tests that are used to diagnose diseases such as influenza, prostate cancer, hepatitis and chlamydia.Men with prostate cancer produce unusually high levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen) compared to those without cancer. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to measure the level of PSA in the blood. If the levels are high, further test can be done to diagnose the disease.ELISA is a common laboratory testing technique that detects and counts certain antibodies, antigens, proteins and hormones in bodily fluid samples. This includes blood plasma, urine, saliva and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Medical Diagnosis
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Specification: AQA Biology (7401), AS-level, 3.2.4 Cell recognition and the immune system. Topic: Cell Recognition and the Immune System.
Key terms in this lesson
- antigen
- A protein or glycoprotein, usually on a cell surface, that is recognised as foreign by the immune system and triggers an immune response.
- antibody
- A Y-shaped protein, made of four polypeptide chains with variable regions complementary to a specific antigen, produced by B plasma cells.
- monoclonal antibody
- An antibody produced from a single clone of B cells, identical in structure and specific to one antigen.
- ELISA
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a laboratory technique using antibodies linked to enzymes to detect and quantify an antigen or antibody in a sample.
More in Cell Recognition and the Immune System
- Antibody Structure
- Antibody Function
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- Drug Delivery and Therapy
- Pregnancy Testing
- Ethics
- Producing Monoclonal Antibodies
- Active, Passive, Natural and Artificial Immunity
All 30 lessons in Cell Recognition and the Immune System · All AQA AS-level Biology topics