Animation 40.2: Pregnancy Test

INTRODUCTION

The antibodies produced by the immune system work by a specific binding of the antibodies to particular features, or epitopes, on other molecules. The immune system produces millions of types of antibodies with different specificities. Together, these different antibodies allow the body to respond to a wide array of invading pathogens.

Scientists have put antibodies to use in a variety of applications. In the accompanying animation, we describe one such use: a pregnancy test. In a home pregnancy test, the test strips have been manufactured to contain several different types of antibodies, some of which recognize a hormone that is present in a pregnant woman's urine.

CONCLUSION

The antibody technology used in a home pregnancy test has as much potential as the immune system itself for detecting particular antigens. Almost any molecule can be used to immunize an animal and to produce antibodies. These preparations of antibodies can be linked to enzymes, to fluorescent molecules, or to radioactive tracers and then used to bind to and identify the locations of the specific molecules. The antibodies can be used to find the locations of molecules on test strips, within tissue samples, as well as in a variety of basic research applications.

Textbook Reference: Key Concept 40.3 Adaptive Defenses Are Specific

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