DP Biology (last assessment 2024)

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Question 22M.2.HL.TZ1.b

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Date May 2022 Marks available [Maximum mark: 5] Reference code 22M.2.HL.TZ1.b
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Describe Question number b Adapted from N/A
b.
[Maximum mark: 5]
22M.2.HL.TZ1.b

Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced.

[5]

Markscheme
  1. mice/rabbit/small mammal injected with one type of antigen;
  2. cells from the spleen/antibody-producing cells are removed;
  3. plasma cells that produce antibodies (are used);
  4. myeloma/tumor cells that divide endlessly (are used);
  5. fusion of plasma cells with tumor/myeloma cells / fusion produces hybridoma cells;
  6. selection of hybridoma cells / medium used that only allows growth of hybridoma cells;
  7. fused cells/hybridoma cells are cultured/grown in tissue culture/grown in a fermenter;
  8. (hybridoma) cells divide endlessly and produce the desired antibodies;
Examiners report

Production of monoclonal antibodies was not widely understood and the mean mark was below 1 (out of 5). Many answers described the normal immune response by the body that results in production of antibodies, rather than the production of hybridoma cells that allow large-scale antibody manufacture.

Syllabus sections