Antibodies and ELISA Techniques

Questions and Answers

Where are antibodies found?

plasma of the blood

How can antibodies be used in the laboratory?

They can be used to see if the patient has a disease that is specifically caused by infections or a malfunction in the immune system.

What does ELISA stand for?

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

What are ELISA assays used for in labs?

measure the concentration of antibodies or antigens Signup and view all the answers

What are the three important limitations of an ELISA?

Positive result of the presence of an antibody doesn't mean the patient is sick; individuals could be inadequate producers of an antibody; a nonspecific binding of an antigen could occur. Signup and view all the answers

What does a positive result indicate in an ELISA test?

antibody is present in the person and the person has the disease Signup and view all the answers

When is detection possible in an ELISA test?

when a second antibody is added, because it can produce a signal Signup and view all the answers

What is the ELISA protocol?

bind sample to support, add primary antibody, wash, add secondary antibody, wash, add substrate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antibodies

Found in the plasma of the blood.
Serve as critical components of the immune response.

Laboratory Use of Antibodies

Utilized to detect diseases caused by infections or immune system malfunctions.
Indicate the presence of specific antibodies in patients.

ELISA Definition

Stands for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
A vital laboratory technique for antibody or antigen detection.

Purpose of ELISA Assays

Measure concentrations of antibodies or antigens in samples.
Help diagnose diseases or determine immune responses.

Limitations of ELISA

A positive result for antibodies does not confirm illness; the body may produce antibodies after recovery.
Inadequate antibody production may lead to false negatives.
Non-specific antigen binding can result in misleading positive outcomes, affecting test reliability.

Positive Result Interpretation

Indicates the presence of antibodies correlating with an active disease in the individual.

Detection Method

Achieved by adding a second antibody that produces a detectable signal.

ELISA Protocol Steps

Bind sample to support, add primary antibody, wash to remove unbound material.
Add secondary antibody, wash again, then add substrate to visualize the test result.

Description

This quiz covers essential topics about antibodies and the ELISA method used in laboratories. You will explore the role of antibodies in the immune system, the functionality of ELISA assays, and their limitations. Test your understanding of how these components are utilized in disease diagnosis.