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Which type of primary antibody is best for labeling actin filaments in human cells?

a. Rabbit anti-tubulin
b. Goat anti-actin
c. Rabbit anti-goat
d. Answer a and b
e. Answers a,b and c

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The best type of primary antibody for labeling actin filaments in human cells is the Goat anti-actin antibody due to its specific binding to actin, an essential part of the cytoskeleton. Additionally, this is in line with immunofluorescence microscopy methods used in cell biology research.

The correct option is b. Goat anti-actin

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked which type of primary antibody is best for labeling actin filaments in human cells. The most suitable choice from the provided options would be a Goat anti-actin antibody. This is due to the specificity required to bind to the actin filaments, a key component of the cell's cytoskeleton. Antibodies such as Rabbit anti-tubulin would bind to tubulin, which is the protein that makes up microtubules, not microfilaments like actin. A Rabbit anti-goat antibody would be used as a secondary antibody if the primary antibody was produced in goats, thus it would not directly bind to actin or any component of the cytoskeleton.

In fluorescent microscopy, a fluorescently labeled antibody specific to actin, such as Goat anti-actin, would bind directly to the actin filaments, allowing visualization under a fluorescence microscope. This forms the basis of immunofluorescence techniques widely used in cell biology to study the structure and function of various cellular components.

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