Urine testing and monoclonal antibodies

Overview

Why urine is useful in diagnosis, how a pregnancy test uses monoclonal antibodies to detect hCG, and the detection of anabolic steroids and other drugs.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Why are urine samples useful in medical diagnosis?

   Model answer

   Urine samples can be used to detect various substances for diagnostic purposes.

2. 2

   What do pregnancy tests detect in urine and what type of molecule is used to detect it?

   Model answer

   Pregnancy tests use monoclonal antibodies to detect human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

3. 3

   What are monoclonal antibodies?

   Model answer

   Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies produced by clones of a single B cell, specific to one antigen.

4. 4

   How does a pregnancy test strip work?

   Model answer

   Monoclonal antibodies specific to hCG are immobilised on a test strip and bind to hCG if present, producing a colour change.

5. 5

   Why are anabolic steroids banned in sport and how can they be detected?

   Model answer

   Anabolic steroids enhance muscle growth and performance; they can be detected by urine tests.

6. 6

   For what purposes can urine tests detect drugs and their metabolites?

   Model answer

   For medical, legal or sporting purposes.

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