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Q41·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2020

Applications of Carbon Nanotubes

S&TMaterials & NanotechnologyStatement-basedHardStatic

Question

With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1.

    They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.

  2. 2.

    They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body.

  3. 3.

    They can be used in biochemical sensors.

  4. 4.

    Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.

Options

a

1 and 2 only

b

2, 3 and 4 only

c

1, 3 and 4 only

d

1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer

Explanation

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have high surface areas, making them excellent targeted carriers for drugs and antigens (Statement 1 is correct). Their strength, flexibility, and tubular structure allow them to act as scaffolds or artificial blood capillaries (Statement 2 is correct). Their unique electrical properties make them highly sensitive biochemical sensors (Statement 3 is correct). Recent microbiological studies have demonstrated that certain enzymes (like myeloperoxidase) can safely degrade multiple types of carbon nanotubes, making them biodegradable in specific physiological conditions (Statement 4 is correct). > One-line conceptual takeaway: The extreme versatility of Carbon Nanotubes allows wide-ranging biomedical applications, including controlled biodegradation. Answer: (d).

Question details

Year

2020

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q41

Subject

Science & Technology

Sub-topic

Materials & Nanotechnology

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Hard

Nature

Static

Source hint

General Nanotechnology applications

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