# 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

## 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

- [monoclonal antibodies](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/monoclonal-antibodies)
- [antigen](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/antigen)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-monoclonal-antibodies-are-produced-85d8d2d4) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.