22.5 Microorganisms, Medicines, Bioremediation

Question 1

Describe and explain the use of microorganisms for penicillin production

Answer 1

• in times of stress, fungi from the Penicillium genus produce an antibiotic, penicillin, to stop bacteria from growing and competing for resources
• penicillin is an antibiotic used in medicine, so is produced on a large scale
• the fungus is grown under stress in industrial fermenters and is the penicillin produced is collected and processed to be used in medicine

Question 2

Describe and explain the use of microorganisms for insulin production

Answer 2

Insulin is a hormone needed to treat Type 1 diabetes

Insulin is made by genetically modified bacteria, which have had the gene for human insulin inserted into their DNA

These bacteria are grown in an industrial fermenter on a large scale and the insulin produced is collected and purified

Question 3

Describe and explain the use of microorganisms for bioremediation

Answer 3

• process of using microorganisms to remove pollutants, like oil and pesticides, from contaminated sites

Most commonly, pollutant-removing bacteria that occur naturally at a site are provided with extra nutrients and enhance growing conditions to allow them to multiply and thrive

These bacteria break down the pollutants into less harmful products, cleaning up the area