Hydrogels

05.11.2024

Hydrogels

Why in the news?

A new way discovered by a team of researchers at the Department of Chemical Sciences in Bose Institute to create hydrogels using tiny protein fragments of just five amino acids from the SARS-CoV-1 virus, could help improve targeted drug delivery & reduce side effects.

About Hydrogels:

• It is a three-dimensional network composed of hydrophobic polymers synthesized by crosslinking water-soluble polymers.
• Hydrogels can retain a large quantity of water within their network without disturbing their original structure. This imparts flexibility and swelling properties to the hydrogel structures.
• It is a “smart” material that can change its structure in response to its environment, such as the local temperature, pH, salt or water concentration.

What is SARS?

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1.
• It is an airborne virus and can spread through small droplets of saliva in a similar way to the cold and influenza.
• It can also be spread indirectly via surfaces that have been touched by someone who is infected with the virus.
• Symptoms of SARS include: Persistent, high fever, Chills, Headache and Body aches.
• Treatment: There’s no established treatment specifically for SARS.
• Source : Magic recipes to create hydrogels from viral protein

                                                                                       Source: PIB

Consider the following statements regarding Hydrogel:

Statement-I:It is a two-dimensional network composed of hydrophobic polymers.

Statement-II:It can change its structure in response to local temperature and salt concentration.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer D