6.2.1 Culturing Microorganisms In Biotechnology

Question 1

Large scale production?

Answer 1

Culturing in large fermenters; growing conditions are manipulated and controlled by computers

Question 2

Conditions controlled? 4

Answer 2

Temperature; type + time of addition of nutrients; oxygen / CO2 concentration; pH (maintained using buffers)

Question 3

Batch culture?

Answer 3

Fermentation tanks are emptied once products are produced

Question 4

4 steps of batch fermentation?

Answer 4

Starter culture mixed with specific quantity of nutrient solution; allowed to grow for a fixed period; products removed; fermentation tank emptied

Question 5

Continuous culture?

Answer 5

Fermentation tanks are never emptied; nutrients and oxygen are continually added

Question 6

Steps of continuous culture? 1

Answer 6

Nutrients are added and products are removed at regular intervals; tanks are never emptied; never run out of resources

Question 7

Examples of batch culture products?

Answer 7

Penicillin production, enzyme production

Question 8

Examples of continuous culture products?

Answer 8

Insulin production, mycoprotein

Question 9

Metabolism?

Answer 9

Sum total of all the chemical reactions in the body

Question 10

What does metabolism produce? 3

Answer 10

New cells + components; chemicals; waste products

Question 11

Metabolites?

Answer 11

Substances produced during cell processes, eg ATP

Question 12

Primary metabolites?

Answer 12

Substances produced by organisms as part of normal growth; matches growth of population

Question 13

Examples of primary metabolites?

Answer 13

Amino acids, proteins, enzymes

Question 14

Secondary metabolites?

Answer 14

Substance only produced during a particular growth phase; no direct involvement in fundamental metabolic processes

Question 15

When are secondary metabolites produced?

Answer 15

During times of competition / when resources are scarce; usually begins after main growth phase of microorganism; during batch fermentation