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Biology topic 7: Disease - Coggle Diagram
Biology topic 7: Disease
Monoclonal antibodies
Mice B lymphocytes make antibodies for a specific pathogen but do not clone. They are bond with tumour cells that clone, but do not make antibodies. This makes a hybridoma cell (makes antibodies and divides). These cells are cloned. Monoclonal antibodies are separated, purified and are used in treatment.
Monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat a variety of diseases as the mice can be stimulated to produce lymphocytes for the pathogen it is given.
Monoclonal antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen. They can therefore target a specific chemical or type of cell within the body.
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Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infectious disease: viruses, bacteria, protists or fungi.
Pathogens can spread through direct contact, water or air and can infect animals and plants
Bacteria might produce toxins that make us feel ill. Our white blood cells produce antitoxins to counter them. These toxins can damage tissue and cause physical symptoms of illness.
Viruses reproduce inside cells, causing cell damage. (Viruses are not living and are not made of cells).
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Clinical trials
New medical drugs have to be tested and trialled before being used to check toxicity, efficacy and dose.
Preclinical testing is done in a laboratory using cells, tissues and live animals.
Clinical trials
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If the drug is found to be safe, further clinical trials are carried out to find the optimum dose for the drug.
In double blind trials, some patients are given a placebo, which contains inactive drugs in order to compare the effect of the drug being tested.
Results of testing and trials are published only after scrutiny by peer review to help prevent false claims.