Outline hybridoma production
Describe how selected antibody-producing cells are fused with tumour cells to make monoclonal antibody-producing hybridomas.
AS Level · Cambridge International Biology 9700, 2028–2030. Written practice is self-checked; human subject-teacher review and supervised practical evidence remain separate.
Before you begin
- Pathogens carry antigens, and specific receptors on lymphocytes can recognise complementary antigen shapes.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What is a hybridoma?
What you will learn
- Outline antigen immunisation, B-cell isolation and cell fusion
- Explain selection and cloning of hybridomas that secrete one specific antibody
Build the explanation
An animal is exposed to a chosen antigen so that some B-lymphocytes produce antibodies against it. Antibody-producing B-cells are collected, commonly from the spleen, and fused with myeloma (tumour) cells that can divide repeatedly. The resulting hybrid cells, called hybridomas, combine antibody production with sustained division. Hybridomas are screened to identify one producing the desired antibody, then cloned so the culture comes from one selected cell. The clone produces large amounts of one specific monoclonal antibody.
Apply it carefully
Keep the sequence clear: immunise → isolate B-cells → fuse with myeloma cells → select desired hybridoma → clone and culture. A mixture of antibody-producing cells is polyclonal until one specificity is selected. The method is a syllabus model; real production requires oversight, quality control and ethical review, and this outline is not a laboratory protocol.
Pause and explain
Why clone a selected hybridoma?
Worked example
Why are antibody-producing B-cells fused with myeloma cells?
Show the worked solution
- B-cells provide antibody specificity.
- Myeloma cells provide the ability to divide repeatedly.
Answer Fusion creates hybridomas that produce a specific antibody and can divide repeatedly.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Outline the main stages in producing monoclonal antibodies with hybridomas.
Give me a hint
Put cell fusion after antigen exposure and B-cell isolation.
Compare my reasoning
- Expose an animal to antigen and isolate antibody-producing B-cells.
- Fuse them with myeloma cells, select a hybridoma with the desired antibody, then clone and culture it.
An animal is exposed to a chosen antigen; antibody-producing B-lymphocytes are isolated and fused with dividing myeloma cells. Hybridomas are screened for the desired antibody, and one selected hybridoma is cloned and cultured to produce monoclonal antibody.
Look for these in your work
- Antigen exposure and B-cell isolation
- Fusion with myeloma cells
- Selection, cloning and production
A culture contains antibodies from several B-cell clones. What step is needed before the product is monoclonal?
Give me a hint
Select a single hybridoma with the desired specificity.
Compare my reasoning
- Screen hybridomas for the required antibody.
- Clone the selected hybridoma so the culture descends from one cell.
The culture must be screened and a hybridoma producing the desired antibody selected. Cloning that single hybridoma creates a population producing one monoclonal antibody specificity.
Look for these in your work
- Screening stated
- Single-cell cloning stated
- Monoclonality explained
A student says myeloma cells provide the antigen-specific antibody. Correct the roles of the two fused cells.
Give me a hint
Separate antibody specificity from unlimited division.
Compare my reasoning
- The B-cell contributes antibody specificity.
- The myeloma cell contributes sustained division; the hybridoma combines both properties.
The antigen-specific B-lymphocyte provides antibody production and specificity. The myeloma cell can divide repeatedly. Fusion forms a hybridoma that combines both properties.
Look for these in your work
- B-cell contribution correct
- Myeloma contribution correct
- Hybridoma properties combined
Common mistakes
- Claiming myeloma cells provide the target antibody specificity
- Skipping selection of the desired hybridoma
- Calling a mixed culture monoclonal
What can you explain now?
What is a hybridoma?
Compare with the explanation
A fused B-cell and myeloma cell
It combines antibody production with sustained cell division.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
How do B-cells and myeloma cells contribute to hybridoma production?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.