AQA · GCSE · Biology

    Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018

    They are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular…

    Full specification wording

    Producing monoclonal antibodies: They are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody.

    Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells, ensuring they are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen.

    Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 4 of 8
    • 2 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells, ensuring they are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen. To begin production, a mouse is injected with a specific chosen antigen, such as a particular viral protein. This stimulates the mouse's immune system, specifically its lymphocytes, to produce antibodies complementary to the injected antigen. These specific antibody-producing lymphocytes are then extracted and isolated. The isolated lymphocytes provide the essential antibody-producing capability for the next stage of the process.

    What earns the marks

    • A mouse is injected with a specific chosen antigen to stimulate a targeted immune response.
    • The antigen stimulates mouse lymphocytes to produce a particular antibody complementary to the antigen.
    • Lymphocytes are white blood cells responsible for this specific antibody production.
    • The isolated mouse lymphocytes provide the specific antibody-producing capability required for monoclonal antibodies.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Stating the mouse is injected with antibodies.

      Put it right: The mouse is injected with an antigen to stimulate its own lymphocytes to produce antibodies.

    • Believing all lymphocytes produce the same antibody.

      Put it right: Only specific lymphocytes produce the antibody complementary to the injected antigen.

    • Confusing stimulation with infection.

      Put it right: Stimulation means the antigen triggers the lymphocyte to produce its specific antibody, which does not necessarily cause disease.

    Exam tips

    • Always specify that an antigen is injected into the mouse to stimulate lymphocytes, rather than an antibody.
    • Remember that the entire topic of monoclonal antibody production is strictly Higher Tier only, despite any foundation tier references you might see.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Producing monoclonal antibodies: They are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which animal is the source of the lymphocytes used to produce monoclonal antibodies?

    Listen

    Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells, ensuring they are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen. To begin production, a mouse is injected with a specific chosen antigen, such as a particular viral protein. This stimulates the mouse's immune system, specifically its lymphocytes, to produce antibodies complementary to the injected antigen. These specific antibody-producing lymphocytes are then extracted and isolated. The isolated lymphocytes provide the essential antibody-producing capability for the next stage of the process. A strong answer earns marks for these points. A mouse is injected with a specific chosen antigen to stimulate a targeted immune response. The antigen stimulates mouse lymphocytes to produce a particular antibody complementary to the antigen. Lymphocytes are white blood cells responsible for this specific antibody production. The isolated mouse lymphocytes provide the specific antibody-producing capability required for monoclonal antibodies. A common slip: Stating the mouse is injected with antibodies. Instead, the mouse is injected with an antigen to stimulate its own lymphocytes to produce antibodies. Exam tip: Always specify that an antigen is injected into the mouse to stimulate lymphocytes, rather than an antibody.

    See it

    A flowchart running from top to bottom in five steps. The first box says a mouse is injected with a specific chosen antigen. An arrow leads to the second box, which says the antigen stimulates mouse lymphocytes. An arrow leads to the third box, which says the lymphocytes produce a particular antibody complementary to the antigen. An arrow leads to the fourth box, which says the specific antibody-producing lymphocytes are isolated. A final arrow leads to the fifth box, which says the isolated lymphocytes provide the antibody-producing capability for monoclonal antibodies.
    It shows how injecting an antigen into a mouse stimulates its lymphocytes to produce a particular antibody, and how those lymphocytes are then isolated for monoclonal antibody production.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Antigen stimulates mouse lymphocytes
    2. 2. Lymphocytes produce a particular antibody complementary to the antigen
    3. 3. Mouse injected with a specific chosen antigen
    4. 4. Isolated lymphocytes provide the antibody-producing capability for monoclonal antibodies
    5. 5. Specific antibody-producing lymphocytes isolated

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Antigen stimulation

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Lymphocytes

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Antigen stimulation
    An antigen triggers the lymphocyte to produce its specific antibody, which does not necessarily cause disease.
    Lymphocytes
    White blood cells that produce a particular antibody complementary to the injected antigen.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 2 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart running from top to bottom in five steps. The first box says a mouse is injected with a specific chosen antigen. An arrow leads to the second box, which says the antigen stimulates mouse lymphocytes. An arrow leads to the third box, which says the lymphocytes produce a particular antibody complementary to the antigen. An arrow leads to the fourth box, which says the specific antibody-producing lymphocytes are isolated. A final arrow leads to the fifth box, which says the isolated lymphocytes provide the antibody-producing capability for monoclonal antibodies.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    0 of 2 labelled

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