Question 1: Define monoclonal antibodies and explain their basic mechanism of action in the human body.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that can bind to specific antigens. They are made by cloned immune cells and are used to target specific cells or substances in the body, such as cancer cells or infectious agents, by binding to their antigens and marking them for destruction or blocking their activity.

Question 2: Describe how monoclonal antibodies are used in the diagnosis of diseases.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are used in diagnostic tests, such as ELISA, where they bind to specific disease markers or pathogens. The binding produces a detectable signal, allowing for accurate identification of the presence of a disease or infection.

Question 1: A monoclonal antibody therapy requires a dose of 5 mg per kilogram of body weight. Calculate the total dose for a patient weighing 70 kg.

Answer: Total dose = 5 mg/kg × 70 kg = 350 mg

Question 2: If a diagnostic test uses 0.2 ml of monoclonal antibody solution with a concentration of 10 mg/ml, how many milligrams of antibody are present in the sample?

Answer: Mass of antibody = concentration × volume = 10 mg/ml × 0.2 ml = 2 mg

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to test the effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody in targeting cancer cells in vitro. Include variables and safety considerations.

Answer: The experiment involves culturing cancer cells in petri dishes and applying different concentrations of monoclonal antibodies. The independent variable is antibody concentration, and the dependent variable is cell viability. Controls include untreated cells. Safety precautions include wearing gloves, lab coat, eye protection, and proper disposal of biological materials to prevent contamination or infection.

Question 1: A clinical trial reports that 85% of patients treated with monoclonal antibodies for a certain disease showed significant improvement. What can be inferred about the effectiveness of the treatment?

Answer: It can be inferred that the monoclonal antibody treatment is highly effective for this disease, as a large proportion of patients experienced significant improvement.

Question 2: In a study, monoclonal antibodies are used to target specific bacteria in a sample. After treatment, bacterial count decreases from 10,000 to 500. What does this data suggest about the monoclonal antibodies?

Answer: The data suggests that the monoclonal antibodies are effective at targeting and reducing the bacterial population in the sample.

Question 1: Explain two different medical applications of monoclonal antibodies and discuss how they improve patient care.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are used in cancer treatment to specifically target tumour cells, reducing damage to healthy tissue and increasing treatment effectiveness. They are also used in diagnostic tests, such as pregnancy tests or disease markers, providing quick and accurate results. These applications improve patient care by enabling targeted therapy and early diagnosis.

Question 2: Describe the advantages and potential limitations of using monoclonal antibodies in medicine.

Answer: Advantages include high specificity, reducing side effects, and versatility in targeting different diseases. Limitations include high production costs, potential immune reactions, and the possibility of resistance developing over time.

Question 1: Discuss how monoclonal antibodies are used in the treatment of COVID-19 and the benefits of this approach.

Answer: Monoclonal antibodies are used to neutralise the virus by binding to its spike protein, preventing entry into human cells. Benefits include rapid development, targeted action, and improved outcomes for high-risk patients.

Question 2: Explain how monoclonal antibodies can be used in agriculture or food industry to improve safety or crop yield.

Answer: In agriculture, monoclonal antibodies can detect specific pests or pathogens on crops, allowing early intervention. They can also be used to identify contaminants in food products, ensuring safety and quality.