GATE BT 2012 • Q7 MCQ • 1 Mark

Section 2: General Biotechnology

Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics

Subtopic: Fundamentals of Biomolecules, enzyme kinetics

Question Statement:

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used as a cryopreservant for mammalian cell cultures because

Options:

  • (A) it is an organic solvent
  • (B) it easily penetrates cells
  • (C) it protects cells by preventing crystallization of water
  • (D) it is also utilized as a nutrient

Official Answer Key:

C

Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation

### **Official Solution & Step-by-Step Derivation (GATE BT 2012 Q.7)** **1. Governing Concept & Syllabus Classification**: - **Section**: BT - **Question Type**: **MCQ** (1 Mark) - **Core Topic**: Quantitative & Analytical Aptitude **2. Detailed Step-by-Step Analytical & Scientific Derivation**: - **Systematic Conceptual & Option-by-Option Evaluation**: - Problem Focus: *"Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used as a cryopreservant for mammalian cell cultures because..."* - **Option (C) [CORRECT]**: *"it protects cells by preventing crystallization of water"* - Validated by canonical biochemistry/biotechnology literature. Specifically matches the molecular mechanism, kinetic model, or empirical finding required. - **Option (A) [INCORRECT]**: *"it is an organic solvent"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity. - **Option (B) [INCORRECT]**: *"it easily penetrates cells"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity. - **Option (D) [INCORRECT]**: *"it is also utilized as a nutrient"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity. **3. Final Answer / Verification Summary**: - **Official GATE Answer Key**: **C** - **Scoring Criteria**: 1 Mark (Negative marking: -0.33 marks).

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