The sterile gauze (or cotton) used in medicine is obtained by oxidising cellulose with

Options

A. Nitrogen
B. `KMnO_(4)`
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. potassium chlorate

Answer

To answer the question regarding the sterile gauze (or cotton) used in medicine and its production through the oxidation of cellulose, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Composition of Sterile Gauze
Sterile gauze is primarily made from cellulose, which is a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants.

**Hint:** Remember that cellulose is a polysaccharide made up of glucose units.

### Step 2: Identify the Oxidizing Agent
The question asks for the oxidizing agent used in the production of sterile gauze from cellulose. Common oxidizing agents include nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium permanganate, among others.

**Hint:** Consider common oxidizing agents that are known to react with organic compounds like cellulose.

### Step 3: Determine the Correct Oxidizing Agent
In this case, the correct oxidizing agent for oxidizing cellulose to produce sterile gauze is nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This reaction modifies the cellulose to create a more suitable material for medical applications.

**Hint:** Think about how different oxidizing agents affect cellulose and which one is specifically used in medical applications.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, the sterile gauze used in medicine is obtained by oxidizing cellulose with nitrogen dioxide.

**Final Answer:** The sterile gauze used in medicine is obtained by oxidizing cellulose with nitrogen dioxide.