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===Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies===
====Treating Disease====:Specific '''monoclonal antibodies''' which bind to the [[antigen]]s of a chosen [[Cell (Biology)|cell]] (usually a [[pathogen]]) can be used to damage or destroy the [[pathogen]].: The '''monoclonal antibody''' can be used to tag a [[Cell (Biology)|cell]] to alert the [[phagocyte]]s to engulf and destroy it.: '''Monoclonal antibodies''' may have a [[toxic]] or [[radioactive]] part which can kill the [[Cell (Biology)|cell]] that it binds to.: '''Monoclonal antibodies''' can be made which bind to receptor sites for [[Human Growth Hormone|growth hormone]]s, blocking that [[hormone]] from binding to the site and so slowing down the rate of [[reproduction]] of the [[Cell (Biology)|cell]]. ====Diagnosing Disease====: Each [[pathogen]] has unique [[antigen]]s on their [[surface]].: A '''monoclonal antibody''' can be produced which have a [[chemical]] marker that will bind to the [[pathogen]] making it easier to locate and identify it. ====Tracking Tumours====: A '''monoclonal antibody''' can be made which binds to tumour [[Cell (Biology)|cells]].: The '''monoclonal antibody''' may have a [[chemical]] or [[radioactive]] marker which can be used to help determine the size of a tumour and if it has spread. ====Pregnancy Tests====: When a [[woman]] is [[pregnant]] certain [[hormone]]s are released into the [[blood]] stream and traces can be found in her [[urine]].: '''Monoclonal antibodies''' can be made which bind to the [[hormone]] causing a [[chemical]] change that results in a colour change on a pregnancy test.