6 Using microorganisms Flashcards
What are microorganisms?
Microorganisms are living things that you can only see with the help of a
microscope.
What are the bodies of most microorganisms made of?
The ‘bodies’ of most microorganisms are made of a single cell, although sometimes millions of cells are gathered together to form a colony.
What is a characteristic of the colony of cells in relation to their visibility?
They may then be visible to the human eye.
What are the critical roles of microorganisms?
Microorganisms have critical roles to play in recycling the waste products
of organisms, as well as recycling the organisms themselves when they die.
Why are many types of microorganisms studied?
Many types of microorganisms are studied because they cause disease in
animals and plants.
Apart from disease, what do microorganisms do?
On the other hand, humans have made use of the great reproductive capacity of microorganisms to make useful products, such as food, drink and medicines.
What is a picture showing the few examples of many types of microorganisms?
What is fermentation?
Using the respiration of microorganisms to produce useful products.
What are fermenters?
A vessel used to grow microorganisms.
How do microorganisms respire?
Many microorganisms respire anaerobically.
What is fermentation normally used for?
Fermentation is normally used to make a useful product.
What is biotechnology?
It is the use of microorganisms to make useful products.
How is bread produced?
Fermentation by yeast.
How is yoghurt made?
By the action of bacteria on milk.
How is cheese made?
Other bacteria and moulds are used in cheese manufacture.
What can we do now that we understand what is happening when fermentation takes place?
Nowadays we understand what is happening when fermentation takes place, and can use biotechnology to produce not just foods but also a huge range of products, from medicines like penicillin to chemicals such as enzymes and fuels.
What has modern biotechnology allowed us to do?
Modern biotechnology also allows us to alter the genes of microorganisms so
that they code for new products.
What is this process called?
Genetic engineering.
What is genetic engineering?
Techniques used to transfer genes from the cells of a donor organism to those of a recipient.
What do we use traditional biotechnology for?
- Making drinks.
- Making bread.
- Making yoghurt.
What happens when yeast cells are deprived of oxygen?
They respire anaerobically.
What happens during this anaerobic respiration?
They break sugar down into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
what is the equation for anaerobic respiration?
Glucose → Ethanol + Carbon dioxide
What is this process used for?
To make bread.