In general, reagents containing polyclonal antibodies have fewer false positives than monoclonal antibodies but they are less sensitive.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Polyclonal antibodies can bind to multiple epitopes on the same antigen, potentially leading to higher sensitivity but also a higher chance of cross-reactivity, which can increase the likelihood of false positives. Monoclonal antibodies are more specific to a single epitope, reducing the chance of cross-reactivity and false positives, but they might be less sensitive if that particular epitope is not abundantly present.

In General, Reagents Containing Polyclonal Antibodies Have Fewer False Positives