Polyclonal antibody

Polyclonal antibodies are antibodiesthat are derived from different celllines.

These antibodies are typically produced by immunizationof a suitable mammal, such as a mouse or rabbit. An antigenis injected into the mammal. This induces the B-lymphocytesto produce IgGimmunoglobulinsspecific for the antigen. This IgGis purified from the mammal?s serum.

Several lines of B-lymphocytes produce these antibodies. These antibodies have specificity for different epitopes.

By contrast, monoclonal antibodiesare derived from a single cell line.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyclonal+antibody Wikipedia article Polyclonal antibody.