Q.1 Hybridoma technology is used to produce
- (A) Monoclonal antibodies
- (B) Polyclonal antibodies
- (C) Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
- (D) B cells
Here’s a SEO-optimized article on hybridoma technology, tailored for students and professionals in biotechnology and molecular biology. It highlights the correct answer with a clear explanation of all options, using educational keywords like “hybridoma technology,” “monoclonal antibodies,” and “antibody production methods” for better search visibility.
Hybridoma technology revolutionized immunology and biotechnology by enabling precise antibody production. If you’re preparing for exams in molecular biology, genetics, or biotechnology, understanding this technique is essential. This article solves a common MCQ on the topic, explains the correct answer—monoclonal antibodies—and breaks down all options for clarity.
What is Hybridoma Technology?
Hybridoma technology, developed by César Milstein and Georges Köhler in 1975, fuses antibody-producing B cells with immortal myeloma cells. The result? Hybrid cells (hybridomas) that secrete a single type of antibody indefinitely. This method ensures high purity and specificity, making it a cornerstone in diagnostics, therapeutics, and research.
Correct Answer: (A) Monoclonal antibodies
Hybridoma technology specifically produces monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). These are identical antibodies from a single B cell clone, targeting one epitope on an antigen. Unlike natural immune responses, hybridomas provide unlimited, uniform supply—vital for drugs like rituximab (cancer treatment) or ELISA tests.Explanation of All Options
Let’s evaluate each MCQ option with scientific reasoning rooted in immunology:
-
(A) Monoclonal antibodies
This is correct. The fusion of antigen-specific B cells (from immunized animals) with myeloma cells creates hybridomas. These clones produce one antibody type, ensuring monospecificity. Applications include COVID-19 treatments and cancer immunotherapy. No other method matches this precision. -
(B) Polyclonal antibodies
Incorrect. Polyclonal antibodies come from multiple B cell clones, activated by an antigen to target various epitopes. They’re produced by immunizing animals and harvesting serum—not hybridomas. While versatile, they lack uniformity, unlike hybridoma-derived mAbs. -
(C) Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
Incorrect. Hybridoma technology is designed solely for monoclonal output. Polyclonal production relies on whole immune responses, not cell fusion. This option misrepresents the technique’s specificity. -
(D) B cells
Incorrect. Hybridoma technology uses B cells as one parent but produces hybridoma cells, not native B cells. B cells alone die quickly in culture; fusion grants immortality for antibody secretion.
Option Produced By Key Feature Hybridoma Link? (A) Monoclonal antibodies Hybridoma fusion Single epitope, uniform Yes (B) Polyclonal antibodies Animal serum Multiple epitopes, diverse No (C) Both N/A Mixed production No (D) B cells Immune system Antibody producers No (intermediate only) Why Hybridoma Technology Matters in Biotech
Beyond MCQs, hybridoma tech drives innovations like recombinant antibodies and CAR-T therapies. It overcame polyclonal limitations by offering scalability and purity. For bioinformatics enthusiasts, tools like BLAST help analyze mAb sequences from hybridomas.
Master this for exams—hybridoma technology produces monoclonal antibodies exclusively.
-