Question

An elution is a technique that is used to release, concentrate, and purify antibodies that are bound to red blood cells. In preparing red cells for any elution method, one must be particularly careful to

a) Use a hypertonic solution
b) Avoid excessive washing
c) Freeze the cells before elution
d) Add proteolytic enzymes

Answer 1

In preparing red cells for elution, it is crucial to avoid excessive washing to prevent the loss of antibodies. Elution is a part of various immunological assays, including ELISA, immunofiltration, and Western Blot, which are used to detect, concentrate, and quantify specific antigens or antibodies.

Step-by-step explanation:

An elution is a technique used in immunology to concentrate, purify, and release antibodies that are bound to red blood cells. When preparing red cells for any elution method, one must be particularly careful to avoid excessive washing. This is because excessive washing can potentially dislodge the antibodies that are meant to be eluted, which would result in a loss of the desired antibodies.

Elution is a key step in many immunological assays such as Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), where antibodies are used to detect and quantify specific antigens present in a solution. During ELISA, a primary antibody captures the antigen and is then detected with a secondary antibody that produces a colorimetric change, allowing for the measurement of antigen concentration. Other methods to concentrate and purify antibodies include immunofiltration, where fluids pass through porous membranes capturing target molecules, and immunoblot assays, such as Western Blot, for protein detection.