A. Partition chromatography

B. Electrical mobility of the ionic species

C. Both (a) and (b)

D. None of these

A combination of paper chromatography and electrophoresis involves both partition chromatography and electrical mobility of ionic species. The correct answer is option C.

Question Breakdown

This MCQ tests hybrid separation techniques combining chromatographic partitioning with electrophoretic migration, common in biochemical analysis for GATE Life Sciences.

Option Analysis

• A. Partition chromatography: Partially correct. Paper chromatography separates via partitioning between water (stationary) and organic solvent (mobile phase).

• B. Electrical mobility of the ionic species: Partially correct. Electrophoresis separates charged molecules based on charge-to-mass ratio under electric field.

• C. Both (a) and (b): Correct. The combination (paper electrophoresis or electrochromatography) uses both mechanisms simultaneously for 2D separation.

• D. None of these: Incorrect, as both principles apply distinctly.

Introduction
A combination of paper chromatography and electrophoresis involves both partition chromatography and electrical mobility of ionic species, creating powerful 2D separation for complex biochemical mixtures. This hybrid technique enhances resolution for amino acids, peptides, and nucleotides in research and GATE Life Sciences exams.

Hybrid Mechanism Explained

Paper Chromatography: Partitioning between cellulose-bound water (stationary phase) and solvent (mobile phase) separates by polarity/hydrophobicity.

Electrophoresis: Electric field drives ionic migration toward opposite electrodes based on charge/mass ratio.

Combined (2D): First dimension chromatography, rotate paper 90°, second dimension electrophoresis—spots form where both properties intersect.

Applications Comparison

Practical Advantages

• Higher resolution than single methods

• Identifies compounds by two independent properties

• Cost-effective for academic labs

• Visual 2D maps for protein/peptide fingerprinting