Biotechnology Module 6 Flashcards
What is biotechnology?
The use of living organisms in industry
Why are microorganisms mainly used in biotechnology?
Their ideal growth conditions can easily be created
Short life cycle so will grow rapidly under correct conditions so products made quickly
Can be grown on a range of inexpensive materials
Can be grown any time of year
What enzymes are used in industry called when they are contained within the cells of organisms?
Intracellular enzymes
What enzymes are used in industry when they aren’t contained within cells?
Isolated enzymes, some are secreted naturally by microorganisms called extracellular enzymes, but some have to be extracted
Why are naturally secreted enzymes cheaper?
It’s expensive to extract enzymes from cells
Which microorganism is used in brewing and what does it do?
Yeast, is added to barley and other ingredients.
Yeast respires anaerobically using the glucose from the grain and produces ethanol and CO2, this fermentation
Which microorganism is used in baking and what does it do?
Yeast, CO2 made in anaerobic respiration makes the bread rise
Which microorganism is used in cheese making?
Rennet, containing the enzyme chymosin which clots the milk
Also lactobacillus and streptococcus which turn lactose into lactic acid turning milk sour and solidifying it
Which microorganism is used in yoghurt production?
lactobacillus and streptococcus which turn lactose into lactic acid turning milk sour and solidifying it
Which microorganism is used in penicillin production?
Fungi from the penicillium genus produce the antibiotic penicillin to prevent bacteria growing and competing with it for resources
Which microorganism is used in insulin production?
Genetically modified bacteria which have had gene for human insulin production inserted into their DNA, insulin is needed for type 1 diabetes treatment
What is bioremediation?
Using microorganisms to remove pollutants from contaminated sites
Example of microorganism used to make single cell protein which can be eaten?
Fungus used to make Quorn the meat substitute
Advantages of producing food for human consumption with microorganisms?
Production of single celled proteins can use waste materials to produce them
Microorganisms can be grown quickly, easily and cheaply. Due to simple growth requirements, less land required and waste products can be used to grow them
Can be cultured anywhere doesn’t matter on environment, so food sources developed in developing countries
Single cell proteins are healthy alternative to meat
Disadvantages of producing food for human consumption with microorganisms?
Lots of effort required to prevent contamination, could be dangerous to humans
People may not like idea of eating food produced from waste products
Single cell protein doesn’t have same texture or flavour as real meat
If high quantities of single cell protein meat eaten could lead to health problems due to high levels of uric acid when amino acids are broken down
What’s a culture?
Population of one type of microorganism been grown under controlled conditions
What are cultures grown in?
Fermentation vessels to collect lots of the microorganism or it’s products
What’s batch fermentation?
Microorganisms are grown in individual batches in a fermentation vessel, when one culture ends it’s removed and then a different batch of microorganisms is grown in the vessel
What’s continuous fermentation?
microorganisms are continually grown in a fermentation vessel without stopping
Nutrients are put in and waste products are taken out at a constant rate
For pH in a fermentation vessel how is it regulated and how does it maximise yield?
pH probe
Allows enzymes to work efficiently, so rate of reaction high as possible
For temperature in a fermentation vessel how is it regulated and how does it maximise yield?
Kept constant by a water jacket
Allows enzymes to work efficiently, so rate of reaction high as possible
For access to nutrients in a fermentation vessel how is it regulated and how does it maximise yield?
Paddles circulate fresh nutrients around the vessel
Ensures microorganisms always have access to nutrients
For concentration of Oxygen in a fermentation vessel how is it regulated and how does it maximise yield?
Strerile air is pumped into vessel when needed
Makes sure microorganisms always have enough oxygen for respiration
For sterile conditions in a fermentation vessel how is it regulated and how does it maximise yield?
Superheated steam sterilises the vessel after each use
Kills any unwanted organisms that may compete with ones being cultured
