Question

Which experimental feature of the MALDI-MS technique allows the separation of ions formed after the adduction of tissue molecules?

A) Distance travelled by ions depends on the ion charge.
B) Velocity of ions depends on the ion mass-to-charge ratio.
C) Time of travel is inversely proportional to the ion mass-to-charge ratio.
D) Electric field between the MALDI plate and the MS analyzer is uniform.

Answer 1

The experimental feature of the MALDI-MS technique which allows the separation of ions formed after the adduction of tissue molecules:

B) Velocity of ions depends on the ion mass-to-charge ratio.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The option a is not correct as distance traveled by ions doesn't depend upon the ion charge rather it depends upon time for which you leave the sample to run.
• The option b is correct as velocity of ions depends on the ion mass-to-charge ratio because separation is done due to mass to charge ratio feature.
• The option c is incorrect as time of travel is not inversely proportional to the ion-to-mass ratio because the ion will move across the gel until you stop the electric field.
• The option d is not correct as electric field between MALDI plate and MS analyzer is though uniform but this feature doesn't allow the separation of ions.