What is the purpose of using a secondary antibody in immunological assays?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the purpose of using a secondary antibody in immunological assays?
To bind to the primary antibody
To enhance the immune response
To isolate specific cells
To fix the sample
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the purpose of using a secondary antibody in immunological assays?
Step 1: In immunological assays, we first use a primary antibody that specifically binds to the target protein or antigen we want to detect.
Step 2: To make the detection of the primary antibody easier, we use a secondary antibody that recognizes and binds to the primary antibody.
Step 3: The secondary antibody is often linked to a detectable marker, such as a dye or enzyme, which helps us see or measure the presence of the primary antibody.
Step 4: By using the secondary antibody, we can amplify the signal, making it easier to detect the target protein.