Use your knowledge of phagocytosis to describe how an ADC enters and kills the tumour cell - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 7
Use your knowledge of phagocytosis to describe how an ADC enters and kills the tumour cell.
**Figure 8** shows how an ADC enters a tumour cell.
The process of ente... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Use your knowledge of phagocytosis to describe how an ADC enters and kills the tumour cell - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Cell ingests/engulfs the antibody/ADC
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Answer
The dying tumour cell recognizes the ADC as an invading agent. The cell membrane extends around the ADC, leading to its engulfment through a process akin to endocytosis.
Step 2
Lysosomes fuse with the vesicle/phagosome (containing ADC)
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Once the ADC is internalized within a vesicle, lysosomes fuse with this vesicle. This fusion process is critical as it allows the digestive enzymes within the lysosomes to access and break down the ADC.
Step 3
Lysosomes breakdown/digest the antibody/ADC to release the drug
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The lysosomal enzymes hydrolyze the ADC structure, subsequently releasing the attached drug. This release is essential for inducing cell death in the tumour cell.