Question

The method which relies on differences in partitioning behavior between a flowing mobile phase and a stationary phase to separate the components in a mixture is referred to as _________________

(a) homogenization

(b) dialysis

(c) chromatography

(d) ultrafiltration

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This interesting question is from Enzymes Purification topic in chapter Enzymes Purification of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) chromatography

For explanation: In chromatography, there is a column which holds the stationary phase and mobile phase carrying the sample pass through it. The components in the sample which partition strongly in the stationary phase spend greater time in the column and get separated from the components which stay in the mobile and pass through the column faster. As the components get eluted, they may be quantified by a detector or collected for further analysis. Homogenization is a physical technique to separate out the cell components into the medium. Dialysis and ultrafiltration are the steps involved in enzyme purification.