ELISA can detect antibodies or antigens in a sample. Which statement is true?

Study for the PMLS History of Medical Technology Test. Explore flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam!

ELISA is built to detect specific biomolecules by using a solid surface to capture either an antigen or an antibody and then using an enzyme-labeled detector to produce a measurable signal. If the aim is to see antibodies in a sample, the assay is arranged so that antigen is attached to the surface and patient antibodies bind to it; a secondary enzyme-linked antibody then reveals the binding. If the goal is to detect an antigen, a capture antibody is used to trap the antigen from the sample, and a labeled detector antibody produces the signal. In either setup, the enzyme is just the signal generator, while the actual target being measured is either antibodies or antigens.

So the true statement is that ELISA can detect antibodies and antigens. It’s not about detecting enzymes themselves, and standard ELISAs aren’t used for nucleic acids or carbohydrates as their primary targets (though variations exist for other analytes, the typical use centers on proteins—antibodies or antigens).