With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:
1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
According to the Official UPSC Answer Key (Series A), the correct answer is Option C (1, 3 and 4 only).
– 1. Carriers of drugs and antigens (Correct): Due to their high surface area, ability to cross cellular membranes, and functionalization potential, CNTs serve as targeted delivery vectors for chemotherapy drugs, vaccines, and antigens directly into diseased cells.
– 3. Biochemical sensors (Correct): The high electrical conductivity and charge sensitivity of CNTs make them effective transducers in biosensors to detect glucose, DNA hybridization, cancer biomarkers, and immunoglobulins.
– 4. Biodegradable (Correct): Studies have demonstrated that specific biological enzymes (such as human neutrophil myeloperoxidase) and various fungal and bacterial species can enzymatically oxidize and degrade functionalized carbon nanotubes.
– 2. Artificial blood capillaries (Incorrect as per UPSC): UPSC did not accept making CNTs into artificial blood capillaries for injured parts of the human body as an established practical medical application under current technological standards.
Therefore, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct — Option C.