Question 21M.2.HL.TZ1.4b
| Date | May 2021 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 2] | Reference code | 21M.2.HL.TZ1.4b |
| Level | HL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | b | Adapted from | N/A |
A hybridoma is a cell produced by the fusion of a plasma cell with a tumour cell. Explain the advantages of using hybridoma cells in the production of monoclonal antibodies.
[2]
a. endless cell divisions/unregulated mitosis (in hybridoma cells) ✔
b. large clone/population of identical cells produced ✔
c. all cells (in clone) produce same type of antibody ✔
d. large amount of (chosen) antibody can be produced ✔
For mpa it must be clear that it is the hybridoma cells not tumour cells that divide endlessly and that division is more than just rapid.
This was another low-scoring question for most candidates. Many did not understand well enough how hybridoma cells are produced. There was also a lack of distinction between rapid proliferation of cells and proliferation that continues indefinitely.
