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General Knowledge · Q995

Practice

Competitive Exams · General Knowledge · question 995

Q995

The fat of a common mussel-secretes a sticky glue that can be used to make heart implants. The unique chemical compound present in the glue is:

A.
Amino phenyl alanine
B.
Hydroxy phenyl alanine
C.
Phenyl alanine
D.
Dihydroxy phenyl alanine
Answer

Answer: Option D

Solution

Answer: Option D
Solution:
The foot of the common mussel (Mytilus edulis) produces a sticky glue due to a unique compound called mussel adhesive protein, which contains a high concentration of an amino acid, DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine), which can cling to wet surfaces with extraordinary strength. Besides heart implants, the compound could be used as a tooth coating to prevent dental plaque, which is caused by bacterial infection.