Question

Monoclonal antibodies are

• A. Polyclonal mixtures
• B. Identical antibodies from single clone
• C. Produced only in plants
• D. DNA molecules

Hint:

Remember: \[ \boxed{\text{One B-cell Clone} \Longrightarrow \text{One Type of Antibody}} \] Monoclonal antibodies recognize only one specific antigenic epitope.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are identical antibodies produced by a single clone of B-lymphocytes. Since all antibody-producing cells originate from one parent cell, every antibody molecule has exactly the same structure and recognizes the same antigenic epitope. Monoclonal antibodies are produced using hybridoma technology and are widely used in diagnostics, cancer therapy, immunological research, and targeted drug delivery.

Step 1: Understand monoclonal antibodies.
A B-cell producing a desired antibody is fused with a myeloma (cancer) cell. The resulting hybrid cell is called a hybridoma. Hybridoma cells:
• Divide indefinitely.
• Produce only one specific antibody.
• Generate genetically identical antibodies. \[ \boxed{\text{B-cell}+\text{Myeloma Cell} \longrightarrow \text{Hybridoma} \longrightarrow \text{Monoclonal Antibodies}} \]

Step 2: Applications of monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are used for:
• Cancer immunotherapy.
• Pregnancy test kits.
• ELISA and other diagnostic tests.
• Treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options.

• Polyclonal antibodies are mixtures produced by many B-cell clones.
• Monoclonal antibodies are not produced only in plants.
• They are proteins (immunoglobulins), not DNA molecules.
• Therefore, identical antibodies from a single clone is the correct answer. Final Answer: \[ \boxed{Option (B) is correct \]