# Explain how monoclonal antibodies are produced in a laboratory. Include in your answer the role of lymphocyte cells and hybridoma cells.

> WJEC A-Level Biology (Wales) — 3.3 Microbiology · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A specific antigen is injected into an animal (such as a mouse) to trigger an immune response
2. Lymphocyte cells are taken from the animal because they produce antibodies complementary to that antigen
3. Lymphocyte cells are fused with tumour cells to form hybridoma cells
4. Hybridoma cells can divide continuously (because of the tumour cells) AND produce monoclonal antibodies (because of the lymphocytes)
5. Cells producing the correct antibody are selected and cultured to produce large numbers of identical (monoclonal) antibodies

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Biology (Wales)](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-82c9a22f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.