AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The hybridoma cell can both divide and make the antibody.
Full specification wording
Producing monoclonal antibodies: The hybridoma cell can both divide and make the antibody.
A hybridoma is a single cell created by fusing a B lymphocyte, which makes one specific antibody but cannot divide indefinitely, with a tumour cell, which divides rapidly but makes no useful antibody.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 6 of 8
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A hybridoma is a single cell created by fusing a B lymphocyte, which makes one specific antibody but cannot divide indefinitely, with a tumour cell, which divides rapidly but makes no useful antibody. The resulting hybridoma inherits both abilities: it divides by mitosis to form a clone, and each cell secretes the same specific antibody. This solves the problem of lymphocytes having a short lifespan in culture. For example, a mouse lymphocyte making an antibody against a particular antigen is fused with a myeloma cell. The hybridoma is cultured to multiply while releasing identical antibodies. This content is examined at Higher Tier only.
What earns the marks
- A hybridoma is formed by fusing a B lymphocyte that produces a specific antibody with a tumour cell.
- The lymphocyte contributes the ability to make one specific antibody, while the tumour cell contributes the ability to divide repeatedly.
- The hybridoma therefore has both properties: it divides by mitosis and secretes the specific antibody.
- Because cell division produces genetically identical cells, all the antibody produced is identical (monoclonal).
- The monoclonal antibodies are then collected and purified from the culture medium where hybridomas are grown.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking the hybridoma is two separate cells working together.
Put it right: It is one single fused cell possessing both abilities.
Believing the tumour cell makes the antibody.
Put it right: The lymphocyte provides the antibody-making ability, while the tumour cell provides rapid division.
Assuming hybridomas occur naturally.
Put it right: Hybridomas are artificially created in a laboratory by fusing two different cell types.
Exam tips
- Name both parent cells and state clearly what each contributes to the hybridoma's function.
- Link the hybridoma's ability to divide by mitosis to the production of a clone making identical monoclonal antibodies.
Try the lesson
The start of the Producing monoclonal antibodies: The hybridoma cell can both divide and make the antibody. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A hybridoma cell is used to produce monoclonal antibodies. Which two abilities does a hybridoma cell have?
Listen
A hybridoma is a single cell created by fusing a B lymphocyte, which makes one specific antibody but cannot divide indefinitely, with a tumour cell, which divides rapidly but makes no useful antibody. The resulting hybridoma inherits both abilities: it divides by mitosis to form a clone, and each cell secretes the same specific antibody. This solves the problem of lymphocytes having a short lifespan in culture. For example, a mouse lymphocyte making an antibody against a particular antigen is fused with a myeloma cell. The hybridoma is cultured to multiply while releasing identical antibodies. This content is examined at Higher Tier only. A strong answer earns marks for these points. A hybridoma is formed by fusing a B lymphocyte that produces a specific antibody with a tumour cell. The lymphocyte contributes the ability to make one specific antibody, while the tumour cell contributes the ability to divide repeatedly. The hybridoma therefore has both properties: it divides by mitosis and secretes the specific antibody. Because cell division produces genetically identical cells, all the antibody produced is identical (monoclonal). A common slip: Thinking the hybridoma is two separate cells working together. Instead, it is one single fused cell possessing both abilities. Exam tip: Name both parent cells and state clearly what each contributes to the hybridoma's function.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Hybridoma
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Mitosis and cloning
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Monoclonal antibodies
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See every definition
- Hybridoma
- A single cell created by fusing a B lymphocyte with a tumour cell, which can both divide and make the antibody.
- Mitosis and cloning
- The hybridoma divides by mitosis to form a clone, and because cell division produces genetically identical cells, all the antibody produced is identical.
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Identical antibodies produced by a clone of hybridoma cells, which are then collected and purified from the culture medium where hybridomas are grown.
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