AQA · Biology · 8461

GCSE Biology: Uses of monoclonal antibodies

Infection and response · AQA GCSE Biology (8461), specification point 4.3.2.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Uses of monoclonal antibodies", and every card links back to the page it came from. Higher tier only. Separate science only. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. Give one everyday diagnostic use of monoclonal antibodies.

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    Pregnancy tests.

  2. How are monoclonal antibodies used in laboratory blood analysis?

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    To measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood, or to detect pathogens.

  3. In research, how are monoclonal antibodies used to locate specific molecules in a cell or tissue?

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    The antibody binds to the target molecule and is tagged with a fluorescent dye, so the molecule can be seen.

  4. In research, monoclonal antibodies are bound to a ? to locate specific molecules in a cell or tissue.

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    fluorescent dye

  5. Name one substance a monoclonal antibody can be bound to when treating cancer.

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    A radioactive substance, a toxic drug, or a chemical that stops cells growing and dividing (any one).

  6. Why is cancer treatment with monoclonal antibodies more targeted than ordinary chemotherapy?

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    The antibody binds only to cancer cells, delivering the toxic substance to them without harming other cells in the body.

  7. What is the main disadvantage of monoclonal antibodies as treatments?

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    They create more side effects than expected.

  8. Monoclonal antibodies are not yet as widely used as hoped because they cause more ? than expected.

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    side effects

  9. Why must a cancer-treating monoclonal antibody be specific to cancer cells?

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    So the attached radioactive substance, toxic drug or growth-stopping chemical is delivered only to cancer cells and not to healthy cells.

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