What are monoclonal antibodies?

• A. Antibodies that are produced naturally in the body
• B. Antibodies produced from a mixture of cells
• C. Antibodies produced from a single clone of cells, specific to one antigen
• D. Antibodies that are altered to improve function

Answer: (C)

Monoclonal antibodies are defined as antibodies that are produced from a single clone of cells, making them highly specific to one particular antigen. This specificity arises from the fact that these antibodies originate from one type of B cell, which has been selected for its ability to bind to a specific epitope on an antigen. As a result, all the antibodies produced are identical and recognize the same target, which is useful in various applications such as diagnostics, therapeutics, and research.

The production process involves fusing a specific B cell that produces the desired antibody with a myeloma cell (a type of cancer cell that can divide indefinitely). This creates a hybridoma, which is then cloned to produce a population of cells that all secrete the same antibody. This ability to produce a large quantity of identical antibodies is what makes monoclonal antibodies particularly valuable in biotechnology and medicine, such as in the development of targeted therapies for diseases like cancer.

Other choices do not accurately represent the unique characteristics of monoclonal antibodies. Antibodies that are produced naturally in the body refer to polyclonal antibodies, which are a mix of antibodies targeting various antigens. Antibodies from a mixture of cells would also imply a polyclonal nature, which