GATE 2021 BT – Question 17
Which statement is INCORRECT about hybridoma production?
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Correct answer: (C) Hybridoma cells are made to produce polyclonal antibodies
Explanation
Check each statement about **hybridoma** production.
- **A. Hybridoma cells can use hypoxanthine and thymidine.** True. They carry HGPRT from the B-cell partner, so they use the **salvage pathway** for nucleotides.
- **B. DNA synthesis in myeloma cells is blocked by aminopterin.** True. Aminopterin blocks the *de novo* pathway, and the HGPRT-deficient myeloma cells cannot use the salvage route, so they die.
- **C. Hybridoma cells are made to produce polyclonal antibodies.** **False (the incorrect statement).** Each hybridoma is a clone of one fused cell and produces **monoclonal** antibody, directed against a single epitope.
- **D. Polyethylene glycol fuses myeloma cells to B cells.** True. PEG is the usual fusing agent.
The incorrect statement is **C**.