"3D printing" has applications in which of the following? 1. Preparation of confectionery items 2. Manufacture of bionic ears 3. Automotive industry 4. Reconstructive surgeries 5. Data processing technologies Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is D, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, builds objects layer by layer from a digital design, and it is used in all five fields listed. Because the printer follows a computer model, it can make complex, one-off shapes without moulds. Food printers extrude chocolate, sugar and dough to create custom confectionery. Researchers have printed a bionic ear by combining living cells with conductive materials. Car makers use 3D printing for prototypes, light parts and tooling. In medicine it produces implants, custom prosthetics, dental parts and models that guide reconstructive surgery. It also depends on, and feeds into, data processing, since designs come from CAD files and 3D scans, and printed parts are used in electronics and computing hardware. Option A is wrong because it leaves out bionic ears and data processing. Option B is wrong because it leaves out confectionery and reconstructive surgery. Option C is wrong because it lists only two of the five uses. Exam tip: 3D printing = additive manufacturing, building layer by layer from a digital (CAD) file.