Question 1 Hard
Why are monoclonal antibodies specific to one antigen? Give the word that describes their shape.
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Answer: complementary
- The binding site matches one antigen.
- The shape is complementary.
Monoclonal antibodies: GCSE Combined Science Biology practice questions
A second set of questions on monoclonal antibodies. They are different from the ones on the topic page. Try each, then open the answer and compare your working.
More questions
Question 2 Hard
Give one disadvantage of monoclonal antibody treatments.
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Answer: side effects
- They were less successful than hoped.
- They cause side effects.
Question 3 Hard
Which substance could be attached to a monoclonal antibody to kill cancer cells? Give one.
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Answer: a toxic drug
- The antibody delivers it to the cancer cells.
- A drug or radioactive substance can be used.
Question 4 Hard
Why do monoclonal antibodies do less harm to healthy cells than some drugs alone? Give one word.
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Answer: targeted
- They bind only to cancer cell markers.
- So the treatment is targeted.
Question 5 Easy
What name is given to a molecule on a germ that an antibody binds to?
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Answer: antigen
- The antibody has a shape that fits.
- The molecule it fits is an antigen.
Question 6 Easy
Does one monoclonal antibody bind to one antigen or to many different antigens?
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Answer: one antigen
- Each antibody has one specific shape.
- So it binds to one antigen.
Question 7 Medium
In a pregnancy test, what is attached to the antibodies so that a result can be seen?
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Answer: coloured beads
- The result must be visible.
- Coloured beads are attached.
Question 8 Medium
Antibodies can have a dye attached to show where a molecule is in a tissue. What type of dye is used?
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Answer: fluorescent
- The dye must show up in the tissue.
- It is a fluorescent dye.
Quick checks
Short questions with options. Choose one before you open the answer.
Check 1
What are monoclonal antibodies?
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Identical antibodies from one clone of cells, which bind to one specific antigen.
Check 2
What is a hybridoma?
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A cell made by fusing a lymphocyte with a tumour cell.
Check 3
Why is a tumour cell used?
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It divides rapidly, so many identical cells are made.
Check 4
What is the antibody-producing cell used?
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A lymphocyte.
Check 5
Why is the mouse injected with the antigen?
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So that its lymphocytes make the specific antibody.
Check 6
Which hormone does a pregnancy test detect?
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hCG.
Check 7
How does a pregnancy test show a result?
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Coloured beads on the antibodies collect in a line.
Check 8
How can monoclonal antibodies help diagnose disease?
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They bind to a specific molecule, with a dye attached, and show where it is.
Check 9
How can monoclonal antibodies be used in research?
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To locate and identify specific molecules in cells or tissues.
Check 10
What is a tumour marker?
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An antigen on the surface of cancer cells.
Check 11
How do monoclonal antibodies treat cancer?
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They carry a drug or radioactive substance to the cancer cells.
Check 12
Why is this better than chemotherapy alone?
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It targets cancer cells and does less harm to healthy cells.
Check 13
Name a side effect of monoclonal antibody treatment.
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Fever, vomiting or low blood pressure.
Check 14
Why have monoclonal antibodies been less successful than hoped?
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They cause more side effects than expected.
Check 15
Why are monoclonal antibodies expensive?
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They are complex to produce in the laboratory.
Check 16
What is an antigen?
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A molecule on the surface of a cell or germ that the body can recognise.
Check 17
What is an antibody?
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A protein made by a lymphocyte that binds to one specific antigen.
Check 18
Why does an antibody bind to only one antigen?
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Its shape is complementary to that antigen, like a key in a lock.
Check 19
What does monoclonal mean?
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All the antibodies come from one clone of identical cells.
Check 20
Why is the mouse injected with the antigen first?
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So that its lymphocytes make the antibody we want.
Check 21
Why can a lymphocyte not be used alone to make lots of antibody?
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It does not divide many times in the lab.
Check 22
What property of the hybridoma helps make large amounts of antibody?
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It divides rapidly, because of the tumour cell.
Check 23
Where is hCG found in a pregnant woman?
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In her urine.
Check 24
What is attached to the antibodies on a pregnancy test strip?
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Coloured beads, which build up to show a line.
Check 25
Why does a pregnancy test only react to hCG?
Show answer
The antibodies are specific and bind only to hCG.
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