The ELISA technique detects antibodies or antigens based on which principle?

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Multiple Choice

The ELISA technique detects antibodies or antigens based on which principle?

At its heart, ELISA relies on the specific binding between an antibody and its antigen, combined with an enzyme that reports that binding with a detectable signal. In a typical setup, the plate is coated with antigen or antibody; if the target is present in the sample, it binds to the coating. A secondary antibody labeled with an enzyme then binds to the target. After washing away unbound components, a substrate is added; the enzyme converts the substrate to a colored (or luminescent/fluorescent) product, and the intensity of that signal corresponds to how much target is present. This enzyme-driven signal readout—rather than radioactive labels or DNA amplification—defines the ELISA approach.

At its heart, ELISA relies on the specific binding between an antibody and its antigen, combined with an enzyme that reports that binding with a detectable signal. In a typical setup, the plate is coated with antigen or antibody; if the target is present in the sample, it binds to the coating. A secondary antibody labeled with an enzyme then binds to the target. After washing away unbound components, a substrate is added; the enzyme converts the substrate to a colored (or luminescent/fluorescent) product, and the intensity of that signal corresponds to how much target is present. This enzyme-driven signal readout—rather than radioactive labels or DNA amplification—defines the ELISA approach.

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