Question 1: Define monoclonal antibodies and briefly explain how they are produced.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies produced by a single clone of plasma cells, generated using hybridoma technology, which involves fusing a specific antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma cell.

Question 2: Describe one medical application of monoclonal antibodies and explain how they target specific cells or substances.

Answer: They are used in cancer treatment to target specific cancer cell antigens, enabling the destruction of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Question 3: Which of the following is a common industrial application of monoclonal antibodies? A) Water purification B) Cancer therapy C) Disease detection in diagnostic tests D) Food preservation

Answer:

Question 4: Fill in the blank: Monoclonal antibodies are used in pregnancy tests to detect the presence of __________ in urine.

Answer: hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Question 5: Explain how monoclonal antibodies can be used to target cancer cells without harming normal cells. (6 marks)

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies can be designed to recognise specific antigens on cancer cells. When administered, they bind selectively to these antigens, marking the cancer cells for destruction by the immune system or delivering cytotoxic agents directly to the tumour, thus minimising damage to normal cells.

Question 6: Identify one safety precaution that should be considered when producing monoclonal antibodies in a laboratory setting.

Answer: Proper sterile techniques should be used to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of personnel.

Question 7: Calculate the molar concentration of a solution containing 50 mg of monoclonal antibody with a molecular weight of 150,000 g/mol. (Show your working.)

Answer: Molar concentration = (mass in grams) / (molecular weight × volume in litres). Mass = 50 mg = 0.05 g Molarity = 0.05 g / (150,000 g/mol × 1 L) = 3.33 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L.

Question 8: Describe a hypothetical experiment to test the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies in detecting a specific virus in blood samples. Mention the key variables and safety precautions involved.

Answer: An experiment could involve exposing blood samples to monoclonal antibodies specific to the virus's antigen. The presence of the virus is indicated by a positive reaction, such as agglutination or a colour change in a diagnostic test. Independent variable: concentration of monoclonal antibodies. Dependent variable: detection signal. Controlled variables: temperature, sample volume. Safety precautions include handling blood samples with gloves, using sterilised equipment, and proper disposal of biological waste.

Question 9: In industry, monoclonal antibodies are used to detect specific bacterial contamination in food products. Explain how this application benefits public health and describe one limitation of this method.

Answer: This application helps ensure food safety by quickly identifying contamination, preventing foodborne illnesses. A limitation is that false positives or negatives can occur if the antibodies cross-react with other substances or if the target bacteria are present in very low numbers.