Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are identical in structure and function.Each cell surface antigen of a pathogen will activate a different B cell.This B cell will divide by mitosis into B cell clones and differentiate into clones of B plasma cells and B memory cells.Each clone of B plasma cells will produce a single type of antibody.Monoclonal antibodies can be used therapeutically.Direct monoclonal antibody therapy is used to destroy cancer cells. Indirect monoclonal antibody therapy involve using antibodies for drug and radioisotope delivery to particular cells.Antibodies used for therapy can be used in smaller doses.This makes the treatment cheaper and lower doses of the drugs can be used reducing the side effects of the drugs.
Monoclonal Antibodies
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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
- mitosis
- Nuclear division that produces two daughter nuclei, each genetically identical to the parent nucleus.
- pathogen
- A microorganism, such as a virus, bacterium, fungus or protoctist, that causes disease.
- 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.
- B-lymphocyte
- A type of white blood cell, matured in the bone marrow, responsible for the humoral immune response and antibody production.
More in Cell Recognition and the Immune System
- Humoral Immunity
- Primary and Secondary Immune Response
- Antibody Structure
- Antibody Function
- Drug Delivery and Therapy
- Medical Diagnosis
- Pregnancy Testing
- Ethics
All 30 lessons in Cell Recognition and the Immune System · All AQA AS-level Biology topics