Unorganized drugs – gums and mucilages MCQs With Answer
Unorganized drugs — gums and mucilages — are natural, plant-derived polysaccharides essential in pharmacy. These hydrophilic colloids provide viscosity, swelling, mucoadhesion, emulsification, suspension stability and film-forming properties, making them key pharmaceutical excipients for B.Pharm students. Important examples include acacia (gum arabic), tragacanth, guar gum, agar, pectin and alginates. Mastering their chemistry, sources (exudates vs intracellular), functional roles (thickeners, binders, stabilizers, demulcents), identification tests, rheology and microbial stability is vital for formulation development and quality control. This concise MCQ set emphasizes both theory and practical application to boost your exam readiness. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What are “unorganized drugs” in the context of gums and mucilages?
- Natural plant-derived colloidal polysaccharides lacking definite cellular organization
- Crystalline alkaloids isolated from plants with defined cell structure
- Synthetic polymers used as binders in tablets
- Low-molecular-weight organic acids used as preservatives
Correct Answer: Natural plant-derived colloidal polysaccharides lacking definite cellular organization
Q2. What is the principal difference in origin between gums and mucilages?
- Gums are exudates produced by plant injury; mucilages are intrinsic products extracted from seeds, leaves or roots
- Gums are synthetic; mucilages are always microbial
- Gums are proteins; mucilages are lipids
- Gums are only used topically; mucilages are only used orally
Correct Answer: Gums are exudates produced by plant injury; mucilages are intrinsic products extracted from seeds, leaves or roots
Q3. What is the major chemical constituent of most pharmaceutical gums and mucilages?
- Polysaccharides (high molecular weight carbohydrates)
- Proteins (polypeptides)
- Fatty acids
- Low-molecular-weight alcohols
Correct Answer: Polysaccharides (high molecular weight carbohydrates)
Q4. Which of the following is a classic example of a pharmaceutical gum used as an emulsifying agent?
- Acacia (gum arabic)
- Gelatin
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Polyvinyl alcohol
Correct Answer: Acacia (gum arabic)
Q5. Which unorganized drug is commonly used as a high-viscosity thickener in oral and topical formulations?
- Guar gum
- Menthol
- Sorbitol
- Calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: Guar gum
Q6. Which gum is known for forming a mucilaginous mass on hydration and is widely used as a suspending and demulcent agent?
- Tragacanth
- Polyethylene glycol
- Glycerol
- Sodium chloride
Correct Answer: Tragacanth
Q7. Guar gum is primarily composed of which polysaccharide type?
- Galactomannan
- Cellulose acetate
- Chitosan
- Alginate
Correct Answer: Galactomannan
Q8. Which ion commonly causes gelation of sodium alginate in pharmaceutical formulations?
- Calcium ions (Ca2+)
- Sodium ions (Na+)
- Chloride ions (Cl−)
- Hydroxide ions (OH−)
Correct Answer: Calcium ions (Ca2+)
Q9. Which qualitative test is most commonly used to detect carbohydrate nature of gums and mucilages?
- Molisch test (α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid)
- Benedict’s test
- Biuret test
- Iodoform test
Correct Answer: Molisch test (α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid)
Q10. What happens when most gums or mucilages are treated with a large volume of alcohol?
- They precipitate out of solution
- They dissolve completely producing a clear solution
- They react to form esters
- They volatilize
Correct Answer: They precipitate out of solution
Q11. Which rheological behavior is commonly exhibited by aqueous solutions of many gums and mucilages?
- Pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) flow
- Newtonian (constant viscosity) flow
- Dilatant (shear-thickening) flow
- Plastic flow with yield stress only
Correct Answer: Pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) flow
Q12. Why is antimicrobial preservation important for natural gums and mucilages used in formulations?
- They are susceptible to microbial growth due to being nutrient-rich polysaccharides
- They are inherently antimicrobial and need neutralization
- They evaporate quickly without preservatives
- Preservatives increase their viscosity
Correct Answer: They are susceptible to microbial growth due to being nutrient-rich polysaccharides
Q13. Which instrument is routinely used in the lab to measure the viscosity of gum and mucilage dispersions?
- Brookfield viscometer
- Mass spectrometer
- Gas chromatograph
- pH meter
Correct Answer: Brookfield viscometer
Q14. Which gum is considered an excellent protective colloid and emulsifier in pharmaceutical suspensions?
- Acacia (gum arabic)
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Magnesium stearate
Correct Answer: Acacia (gum arabic)
Q15. Which commonly used gum is produced by microbial fermentation rather than by plant exudation?
- Xanthan gum
- Tragacanth
- Acacia
- Karaya gum
Correct Answer: Xanthan gum
Q16. Which mucilage is classically used as a soothing demulcent in herbal and pharmaceutical preparations?
- Tragacanth mucilage
- Calcium carbonate slurry
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Poloxamer solution
Correct Answer: Tragacanth mucilage
Q17. Which reagent is a key component of the Molisch test for carbohydrates in gums?
- α-Naphthol
- Biuret reagent
- Potassium permanganate
- Silver nitrate
Correct Answer: α-Naphthol
Q18. Which property makes acacia particularly useful in emulsion formulations?
- Good emulsifying and film-forming properties combined with colloidal stability
- High lipid content that dissolves oil phases
- Strong acid character that hydrolyzes oils
- Volatility that aids evaporation
Correct Answer: Good emulsifying and film-forming properties combined with colloidal stability
Q19. Which unorganized drug is often employed as a tablet binder because of its adhesive mucilage?
- Acacia (gum arabic)
- Magnesium stearate
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Calcium phosphate
Correct Answer: Acacia (gum arabic)
Q20. Which feature commonly describes the effect of increasing temperature on viscosity of gum solutions?
- Viscosity generally decreases with increasing temperature
- Viscosity increases dramatically with temperature
- Viscosity is independent of temperature
- Gum solutions solidify at moderate temperatures
Correct Answer: Viscosity generally decreases with increasing temperature
Q21. How can alginate beads be produced for controlled release using alginate and a cross-linking solution?
- Drop sodium alginate solution into calcium chloride solution to form gel beads
- Heat alginate solution to 200 °C to cause gelation
- Mix alginate with ethanol to instantaneously form beads
- Dissolve alginate in acetone to precipitate beads
Correct Answer: Drop sodium alginate solution into calcium chloride solution to form gel beads
Q22. Which statement about precipitation behavior of gums with polyvalent cations is correct?
- Polyvalent cations can cause precipitation or gelation of certain anionic gums
- Polyvalent cations always increase solubility of gums
- All gums are completely inert to metal ions
- Only monovalent ions affect gum hydration
Correct Answer: Polyvalent cations can cause precipitation or gelation of certain anionic gums
Q23. Which gum fraction of tragacanth mainly contributes to swelling and viscous mucilage formation?
- Bassorin
- Cellulose nitrate
- Starch granule fraction
- Lipid fraction
Correct Answer: Bassorin
Q24. What is a common quality control concern for powdered gums stored in bulk?
- Hygroscopicity leading to clumping and microbial contamination
- Spontaneous polymerization into monomers
- Complete volatilization within days
- Conversion to crystalline sugars at room temperature
Correct Answer: Hygroscopicity leading to clumping and microbial contamination
Q25. Which gum is preferred when a very high viscosity is required at low concentration in formulations?
- Xanthan gum
- Acacia at low concentration
- Magnesium stearate
- Calcium sulfate
Correct Answer: Xanthan gum
Q26. Which property makes mucilages useful as demulcents in throat syrups and lozenges?
- The ability to form a protective, soothing viscous film over mucous membranes
- Their strong disinfectant action
- Their high alcohol content
- Their bitter taste that triggers saliva secretion
Correct Answer: The ability to form a protective, soothing viscous film over mucous membranes
Q27. Which method is most commonly used to identify gums in the laboratory by producing a carbohydrate-specific violet ring?
- Molisch test
- Bromine water test
- Flame photometry
- IR spectroscopy alone
Correct Answer: Molisch test
Q28. In formulation design, why is compatibility testing important for gums and mucilages?
- They may interact with drugs or excipients altering stability, viscosity or bioavailability
- They always increase drug potency so dosing must be adjusted
- They evaporate and change pH instantly on mixing
- They convert drugs to volatile oils
Correct Answer: They may interact with drugs or excipients altering stability, viscosity or bioavailability
Q29. Which gum is especially useful in forming heat-stable gels and is commonly used in microbiological media and as an excipient?
- Agar
- Guar gum
- Acacia
- Tragacanth
Correct Answer: Agar
Q30. For proper storage of powdered gums and mucilages in the pharmacy, which condition is most appropriate?
- Cool, dry place in airtight containers to prevent moisture uptake and microbial growth
- Open trays in humid conditions to maintain flexibility
- High temperature and sunlight to sterilize
- Immersed in water to keep them hydrated
Correct Answer: Cool, dry place in airtight containers to prevent moisture uptake and microbial growth
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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