# Monoclonal antibodies can be produced in a laboratory and used in a number of ways. Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced, starting from the injection of a specific antigen into a mouse.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 3.3 Microbiology · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A specific antigen is injected into a mouse / animal, triggering an immune response
2. Lymphocyte cells are taken from the mouse / animal (which produce antibodies complementary to that antigen)
3. Lymphocyte cells are fused with tumour cells to form hybridoma cells
4. Hybridoma cells can divide continuously / indefinitely AND produce monoclonal antibodies
5. Cells producing the correct antibody are selected and cultured to produce 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/monoclonal-antibodies-can-be-produced-in-6c1f6142) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.