Development of MedicinesEdexcel GCSE Biology: Revision notes
Section 1
Stages of Developing New Medicines
- Discovery 2. Development 3. Preclinical testing (cells/tissues/animals) 4. Clinical testing (human volunteers, then patients, double-blind trials with a placebo).
Order: discovery → development → preclinical → clinical.
Section 2
Monoclonal Antibodies: Production
- Mouse injected with antigen; lymphocytes produce antibody but cannot divide indefinitely
- Fused with a tumour cell → hybridoma cell
- Hybridoma divides, producing antibody
Lymphocytes alone can't be cloned — it's the hybridoma cell that divides.
Section 3
Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
Pregnancy testing (hCG), diagnosis (locating blood clots/cancer cells), treatment (targeted cancer therapy). Advantage: targets specific cells only, sparing healthy tissue vs drugs/radiotherapy.
Section 4
Non-Communicable Diseases and Lifestyle
Cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung/liver disease, nutrition-related disease result from multiple factors.
Diet+inactivity → obesity/malnutrition; alcohol → liver disease; smoking → cardiovascular disease.
BMI = mass(kg) ÷ height(m)².
70kg, 1.75m: BMI=70÷3.0625=22.9.
Section 5
Treating Cardiovascular Disease
Life-long medication (statins) — ongoing, side effects. Surgery (stents/bypass) — effective, risky, costly. Lifestyle changes — low risk, needs commitment.
Weigh cost, effectiveness, risk, compliance.
Must Know
- Stages: discovery→development→preclinical→clinical (double-blind, placebo).
- Hybridoma = lymphocyte + tumour cell, produces monoclonal antibody.
- Uses: pregnancy test, diagnosis, targeted treatment.
- BMI=mass÷height²; smoking→CVD, alcohol→liver, diet/exercise→obesity.
- CVD treatments: medication, surgery, lifestyle — each with trade-offs.
That's the notes covered.
Carry on to the next subtopic.