# Explain how monoclonal antibodies are produced and describe one way in which they can be used to treat cancer.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.2.4 Cell Recognition and the Immune System · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A specific antigen is selected / an antigen is injected into a mouse to stimulate an immune response
2. Lymphocytes (B-lymphocytes) that produce the desired antibody are collected from the mouse
3. Lymphocytes are fused with tumour cells to form hybridoma cells
4. Hybridoma cells are cloned / cultured to produce large quantities of identical (monoclonal) antibodies
5. Monoclonal antibodies can be attached to a toxic drug / radioactive substance and bind specifically to antigens on cancer cells, delivering the drug directly to the tumour / killing cancer cells without harming normal cells

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-monoclonal-antibodies-are-produced-1887dee7) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.