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A Levels Biology (9700)•9700/12/M/J/20
Question 40 from 9700/12/M/J/20

Explanation

Monoclonal Antibody Specificity Steps:

  • Monoclonal antibodies derive from one B-cell clone, producing identical molecules with uniform variable regions.
  • Enzyme treatment (e.g., papain) separates variable (Fab) and constant (Fc) regions, but all Fab fragments retain the same antigen-binding site.
  • Added to infected cells, variable regions bind virus antigens; since identical, they target the same epitope.
  • Constant regions (Fc) alone do not bind antigens and lack opsonization signals for phagocytosis.

Why C is correct:

  • Monoclonal antibodies bind one specific epitope by definition, so variable regions all attach to the same part (statement 2).

Why the others are wrong:

  • A includes 1, false—soluble Fc fragments are not engulfed by phagocytes without antigen attachment.
  • B includes 1 and 3, both false—Fc not phagocytosed, and variables bind same site, not different.
  • D claims 3 only, false—monoclonal variables are uniform, unlike polyclonal antibodies.

Final answer: C

Topic: Antibodies and vaccination

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