A. Adsorbent

B. Buffer solution

C. Mobile phase

D. None of the above

Correct Answer: C. Mobile phase

The mobile phase is the solvent passed through the column to elute separated components for collection in chromatography.

Option Analysis

A. Adsorbent
Adsorbent refers to the solid stationary phase (silica, alumina) that retains components through surface interactions. It remains fixed in the column and doesn’t flow to elute fractions.

B. Buffer solution
Buffers maintain pH in ion-exchange or biochemical separations but aren’t universally required. Many chromatography methods (normal-phase, reverse-phase) use organic solvents or plain water, not buffers.

C. Mobile phase (Correct)
The mobile phase (liquid solvent or carrier gas) flows through the stationary phase, carrying separated components at different rates based on their affinities. Fractions are collected as they elute from the column.

D. None of the above
Incorrect, as mobile phase precisely matches the definition of the eluting solvent used for component collection.

Mobile phase is the proper solvent passed through the column for elution so separated components can be collected—fundamental to all chromatography techniques in GATE Life Sciences.

Mobile Phase Function

Carries sample through stationary phase via differential partitioning/adsorption. Elution order reflects component-stationary phase affinity; collected fractions enable purification/isolation.​

Terminology Comparison

GATE Applications

Essential for column chromatography questions across biochemistry. Used in protein purification, natural product isolation, and pharmaceutical QC workflows.