2000 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 122: Science and Technology
Hybridoma technology is a new biotechnological approach for commercial production of
amonoclonal antibodies
binterferon
cantibodies
dalcohol
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Hybridoma technology fuses an antibody-producing B lymphocyte with a myeloma (cancer) cell. The hybrid cell grows without limit and makes a single type of antibody, called a monoclonal antibody, which targets one specific antigen. The method was devised by Kohler and Milstein in 1975 and is used in diagnosis and treatment.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: hybridoma cells produce monoclonal antibodies.
- (b) Interferon is made mainly by recombinant DNA methods, not hybridoma technology.
- (c) Ordinary antibodies come from immunised animals; hybridoma gives specific monoclonal ones.
- (d) Alcohol is made by yeast fermentation, not hybridoma technology.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.