Question

Which of the following polymers is used in electrophoresis in the form of gel?

• A. Glyptal
• B. Buna-N
• C. Polyacrylamide
• D. PVC

Hint:

Whenever you read about gel electrophoresis for proteins or DNA in a chemistry context, the standard synthetic gel choice is almost always **Polyacrylamide** due to its perfect porous network mesh!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to identify the specific organic polymer commonly cast into a porous, hydration-stable gel framework for biological separation techniques like gel electrophoresis.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Gel electrophoresis is a vital laboratory technique used to separate complex mixtures of macromolecules (such as DNA, RNA fragments, and proteins) based on their physical molecular size and net electrical charge density. The separation medium requires a highly controlled, porous molecular sieve. This sieve is created by the cross-linking polymerization of acrylamide monomers in water, generating a stable matrix known as a polyacrylamide gel (used in PAGE - Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis). The pore size of this gel can be easily customized by adjusting the monomer concentrations, making it ideal for separating proteins and small nucleic acids. Polymers like Glyptal, Buna-N (synthetic rubber), or PVC (rigid structural plastic) lack the hydrophilic network properties needed to form an analytical molecular sieve gel.

Step 3: Final Answer: The polymer used as an electrophoresis gel matrix is Polyacrylamide, matching option (C).