2.6 Criteria

Question 1

What are three examples of micro-organisms?

Answer 1

Archaea, bacteria, and some species of eukaryote

Question 2

Do micro-organisms use a wide or narrow range of substrates for metabolism?

Answer 2

wide

Question 3

Do micro-organisms produce a range of products from their metabolic pathways?

Answer 3

yes they produce a RANGE of products

Question 4

What are micro-organisms used to produce?

Answer 4

Useful products from their pathways

Question 5

Why are micro-organisms used to produce substances?

Answer 5

Because of their adaptability, ease of cultivation and speed of growth.

Question 6

What do micro-organisms growth media contain?

Answer 6

Raw materials for biosynthesis and an energy source.

Question 7

Micro-organisms can produce their required complex molecules for biosynthesis. What are three examples of complex molecules?

Answer 7

Amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids.

Question 8

What do some micro-organisms require to be supplied in the growth medium?

Answer 8

complex molecules for biosynthesis

Question 9

Where is an energy source for a micro-organism derived from?

Answer 9

A chemical substrate, or from light in photosynthetic micro-organisms

Question 10

What optimal conditions does a fermenter provide?

Answer 10

Provides optimal conditions for micro-organisms through control of temperature, oxygen level and pH

Question 11

What sterile conditions does a fermenter provide?

Answer 11

Provide sterile conditions to reduce competition for nutrients with unwanted micro-organisms

Question 12

What does a fermenter reduce?

Answer 12

The risk of spoilage of the product

Question 13

Name 3 examples of products produced in fermenters?

Answer 13

Antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines

Question 14

Describe and name the first phase of growth and changes in culture of micro-organisms?

Answer 14

Lag phase- enzymes are induced to metabolise substrates

Question 15

Describe and name the second phase of growth and changes in culture of micro-organisms?

Answer 15

Log/exponential phase- rapid growth of micro-organisms due to plentiful nutrients

Question 16

Describe and name the third phase of growth and changes in culture of micro-organisms?

Answer 16

Stationary phase- due to nutrient depletion and toxic metabolites

Question 17

Describe and name the forth phase of growth and changes in culture of micro-organisms?

Answer 17

Death phase- due to toxic metabolite accumulation and lack of nutrients

Question 18

Name the two types of metabolites:

Answer 18

Primary metabolites and secondary metabolites

Question 19

In what stage are secondary metabolites produced?

Answer 19

secondary metabolites are produced in the stationary phase.

Question 20

What might secondary metabolites confer?

Answer 20

May confer an ecological advantage in the wild by allowing the micro-organism to outcompete other species

Question 21

What type of scale is used to plot and interpret a micro-organism growth curve?

Answer 21

Semi-logarithmic scale

Question 22

What does a viable count include?

Answer 22

Only living cells

Question 23

What does a total count include?

Answer 23

Both living and dead cells

Question 24

What type of count would show a death phase?

Answer 24

Viable count