Question

Monoclonal antibodies differ from polyclonal antibodies in their property of reacting with specific

• A. Antigen
• B. Clone of cell
• C. Epitope
• D. Antibody

Hint:

Think of it this way: An antigen is a whole car. Polyclonal antibodies are like a group of people who recognize the car by its wheels, doors, headlights, and logo. Monoclonal antibodies are like a specialist who only recognizes the car by its specific hood ornament (the epitope).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the key difference in specificity between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. An antigen is a large molecule that can elicit an immune response, and it typically has multiple distinct recognition sites on its surface called epitopes.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Polyclonal antibodies are a mixture of antibodies that are secreted by different B-cell clones. As a result, this mixture recognizes and binds to {multiple different epitopes} on the surface of a single antigen.
- Monoclonal antibodies are a homogeneous population of antibodies produced by a single B-cell clone (via hybridoma technology). All antibodies in a monoclonal preparation are identical and bind to the {exact same, single specific epitope} on the antigen.
- Therefore, both types react with the specific antigen, but their difference lies in the specificity at the level of the epitope. Monoclonal antibodies are specific for a single epitope, whereas polyclonal antibodies are specific for the antigen as a whole, reacting with its various epitopes.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The property that distinguishes monoclonal from polyclonal antibodies is their reactivity with a specific, single epitope. Therefore, option (C) is correct.