Pharmacology researchers are developing a new antivenom to treat coral snakebites. They immunize horses with snake venom, extract IgG-containing plasma, and then administer the plasma to humans who have been bitten by a coral snake. This therapy neutralizes the venom and improves the patient's symptoms. In order to produce venom-selective antibodies, the researchers select a single venom-specific plasma cell from the immunized horse and induce it to proliferate and produce large amounts of venom-specific IgG. However, they find that the antibody produced by the single plasma cell is less effective at neutralizing the venom than the IgG-containing plasma. A decrease in which of the following best explains the reduced efficacy of the immunoglobulin produced by the single plasma cell?

Question

Pharmacology researchers are developing a new antivenom to treat coral snakebites.  They immunize horses with snake venom, extract IgG-containing plasma, and then administer the plasma to humans who have been bitten by a coral snake.  This therapy neutralizes the venom and improves the patient's symptoms.  In order to produce venom-selective antibodies, the researchers select a single venom-specific plasma cell from the immunized horse and induce it to proliferate and produce large amounts of venom-specific IgG.  However, they find that the antibody produced by the single plasma cell is less effective at neutralizing the venom than the IgG-containing plasma.  A decrease in which of the following best explains the reduced efficacy of the immunoglobulin produced by the single plasma cell?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Plasma contains polyclonal antibodies, a pool of antibodies that bind different epitopes on an antigen.  In contrast, monoclonal antibodies bind a single epitope on an antigen.  Polyclonal antibodies are often better at neutralizing complex antigens because they contain antibodies that bind several different epitopes.

Pharmacology Researchers Are Developing a New Antivenom to Treat Coral