One clone, one antibody specificity
A population of monoclonal antibodies consists of identical antibodies originating from one clone of B lymphocytes. Their antigen-binding sites have the same shape and bind to the same specific region, or epitope, of an antigen.
This specificity allows a chosen molecule or cell type to be detected or targeted. An antibody binds only where a complementary antigenic site is present; it does not recognise a cell simply because the cell is harmful.
Exam Tip: Link specificity to the complementary shapes of the antigen and antibody's binding site. AQA does not require details of commercial or scientific monoclonal-antibody production.