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GATE 2023 BM – Question 52

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering · Biocompatibility and Implant Characteristics · 2 marks · Multiple select

By which mechanisms can a water-insoluble polymeric biomaterial become water-soluble in vivo?

  1. Cleavage of crosslinks between water-soluble polymer chains
  2. Cleavage of side chains leading to formation of nonpolar groups
  3. Cleavage of backbone linkages between repeat units leading to formation of polar groups
  4. Enzymatic degradation of crosslinks between water-soluble polymer chains

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (A) Cleavage of crosslinks between water-soluble polymer chains; (C) Cleavage of backbone linkages between repeat units leading to formation of polar groups; (D) Enzymatic degradation of crosslinks between water-soluble polymer chains

Explanation

Breaking network crosslinks releases the otherwise water-soluble chains, giving A; enzymatic crosslink cleavage is another such mechanism, D. Backbone cleavage that generates polar groups and smaller fragments can increase water solubility, C. B instead forms nonpolar groups and does not promote the required water solubility. Correct selections are A,C,D.

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