Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced, starting from the injection of an antigen into a mouse.

AQA GCSE Biology (8461) — 4.3.2 Monoclonal antibodies (Bio only) · Describe · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

1. The antigen is injected into a mouse, stimulating B‑lymphocytes to produce specific antibodies.
2. Lymphocytes are harvested from the mouse and fused with myeloma (tumour) cells.
3. The resulting hybridoma cells are cloned and grown in large numbers.
4. The hybridoma cells secrete large quantities of identical (monoclonal) antibodies.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word ‘stimulates’ for the first step; examiners expect the link between antigen and B‑cell response. Show the fusion step explicitly – ‘fused with myeloma cells’. Mention ‘cloned’ or ‘grown in large numbers’ to cover the expansion stage. End with ‘secrete identical antibodies’ to demonstrate monoclonality.”]
  • common_mistakes
  • :
  • Omitting the fusion with myeloma cells or calling them ‘tumour cells’. Failing to state that the antibodies are identical (monoclonal). Using vague terms like ‘produce antibodies’ without linking to B‑cells or hybridoma.”

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. The antigen stimulates lymphocytes (B lymphocytes) to produce antibodies
  2. Lymphocytes are extracted from the mouse and fused with tumour cells (myeloma cells) to form hybridoma cells
  3. Hybridoma cells are cloned / grown in large numbers
  4. The hybridoma cells produce/secrete large quantities of identical (monoclonal) antibodies

Key terms in this question

monoclonal antibodies · antigen

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