1. Describe the structure of an immunoglobulin and how this relates to its function. 6 marks
Globular Protein
Made of amino acid chains
Made of 2 light chains and 2 heavy chains
The top of the antibody is the variable region
This shape can change depending on the antigen it binds to
The bottom is called he effector/fixed region and this joins to white blood cells.
The structure allows the binding of up to 2 antigens at once in response to an infection

2. Monoclonal Antibodies
SPECIFICATION POINTS
The use of monoclonal antibodies in:
•• targeting medication to specific cell types by attaching a
therapeutic drug to an antibody
•• medical diagnosis.
Details of the production of monoclonal antibodies is not required.
Ethical issues associated with the use of vaccines and monoclonal
antibodies.
A pathogen may have more than one antigen on its surface so more than one lymphocyte can respond to it.
Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are just one type of antibody made from one type of B Cell.
Normal 10

3. Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
SPECIFICATION POINTS
The use of monoclonal antibodies in:
•• targeting medication to specific cell types by attaching a
therapeutic drug to an antibody
•• medical diagnosis.
Details of the production of monoclonal antibodies is not required.
Ethical issues associated with the use of vaccines and monoclonal
antibodies.
Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
Using Monoclonal Antibodies as Drugs to treat diseases such as Infections and Cancers
Medical Diagnosis
Pregnancy Tests
25 Research Task

4. SPECIFICATION POINTS
The use of monoclonal antibodies in:
•• targeting medication to specific cell types by attaching a
therapeutic drug to an antibody
•• medical diagnosis.
Details of the production of monoclonal antibodies is not required.
Ethical issues associated with the use of vaccines and monoclonal
antibodies.
Using Monoclonal Antibodies as Drugs to treat diseases such as Infections and Cancers
After producing monoclonal antibodies (in the lab) against a pathogens antigen or cancer cell antigens. These can be directly injected into a patient for treatment
– very selectively toxic – will not damage your own cells – targets the specific pathogen
Can even attach drug, enzyme or radioactive material to kill tumor cells or pathogens

5. Using a monoclonal antibody attached to a known radioactive marker, it can be administered to a patient and some time later, a scan can be done to detect where the antibody marker has bound to in the body.
Can be used to detect where cancers are or sites of infection
Medical Diagnosis

6. THIS IS ACTUALLY AN INDIRECT ELISA!
Pregnancy testing
Uses a monoclonal antibody attached to an colour changing enzyme.
When hormone levels of progesterone are high (due to pregnancy), the antibody in the test binds to the hormones in the urine and causes a colour change indicating pregnancy
THIS IS ACTUALLY AN INDIRECT ELISA!

7. Ethics of producing monoclonal Antibodies
SPECIFICATION POINTS
The use of monoclonal antibodies in:
•• targeting medication to specific cell types by attaching a
therapeutic drug to an antibody
•• medical diagnosis.
Details of the production of monoclonal antibodies is not required.
Ethical issues associated with the use of vaccines and monoclonal
antibodies.
Ethics of producing monoclonal Antibodies
Many monoclonal antibodies have been approved as treatments.
Use of Animals – should animals be used? Pros and cons of this?
Success rate – according to some journals as much as 20% approval success.
Safety testing – drug trials involving monoclonal antibodies previously have resulted in adverse side effects in some volunteers 10