Antibodies

Question 1

What is an antibody?

Answer 1

Protein which has a binding site complementary in shape to certain antigens, produced by B cells

Question 2

What structure do antibodies have?

Answer 2

Quarternery structure (4 polypeptide chains)
2 short chains on outside and 2 long chains on inside

Question 3

What is the variable region?

Answer 3

Part which changes in shape- complementary in shape to a particular antigen- where the antigen binds

Question 4

What is the constant region?

Answer 4

Stays the same

Question 5

Heavy chain?

Answer 5

Longer, heavier chain

Question 6

Light chain?

Answer 6

Shorter and lighter

Question 7

What is agglutination?

Answer 7

How antibodies destroy pathogens

Question 8

The process of agglutination?

Answer 8

Antibodies bind to the antigen to form an antigen-antibody complex
Antibodies are flexible so can bind and twist/flex to attach to another antigen. Multiple antibodies attaching to multiple antigens and clumping together- makes it easier for phagocytes to locate and destroy pathogens

Question 9

What is a monoclonal antibody?

Answer 9

Antibodies produced from a single group of genetically identical B cells (plasma cells). Can be isolated and cloned.

Question 10

What are used to create monoclonal antibodies for?

Answer 10

Medical treatment
Medical diagnosis
Pregnancy test w

Question 11

Cancer cells and monoclonal antibodies??

Answer 11

Cancer cells have antigens called tumour markers that are not found on normal body cells
Monoclonal antibodies can be made that will bind to the tumour markers
Can also attach anti-cancer drugs to the antibodies
When the antibodies come into contact with the cancer cells, they will bind to the tumour markers
Means the drug will only accumulate in the body where there are cancer cells
Side effects of an antibody- based drugs are lower than other drugs- they accumulate near specific cells