Which of the following is a cellulose derivative used as a support medium in electrophoresis?

• A. Cellulose acetate
• B. Agarose
• C. Polyacrylamide
• D. Silica

Answer: (A)

Electrophoresis relies on a solid or gel-like matrix that acts as a support for migrating molecules. The option that is a cellulose derivative used as such a support is cellulose acetate, which forms a thin, stable film suitable for separating proteins in electrophoretic setups. This membrane type was historically used for protein separations, including urine protein electrophoresis, because it provides a consistent, flat surface for migration.

Agarose, while widely used for DNA and some protein separations, is a polysaccharide gel not derived from cellulose. Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer gel, also not derived from cellulose. Silica is inorganic and not used as a cellulose-based gel support in standard electrophoresis. Therefore, cellulose acetate is the cellulose-derived medium in this context.