Beneficial Microorganisms

Question 1

What are Beneficial Microorganisms normally for?

Answer 1

Most of these microbes are either

• Necessary for our survival
• Good for us
• Can be used for our benefit in the industry

Examples:

• Biotechnology
• Food Industry
• Biofuels
• Pharmaceuticals
• Biodegradation

Question 2

Define Biotechnology

Answer 2

The exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes (especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms) for the manufacture of commercially valuable products

Question 3

Define Primary Metabolites

Answer 3

A metabolite that is directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction
e.g: biomass, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, citric acid, acetic acid, ethanol

Question 4

Define Secondary metabolite

Answer 4

A metabolite that is not directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction

eg: antibiotics

Question 5

What are the First generation biofuels?

Answer 5

bioethanol from starch or sugar crops and biodiesel from oil-rich plants-Food versus Fuel

Question 6

What is the second generation biofuels?

Answer 6

Fermentation of non-food materials -renewable and widely available,

eg: agricultural waste (corn stover) straw, sawdust and paper pulp; woody biomass from forestry; municipal solid waste including household food and garden waste

Question 7

Define Biodegradation

Answer 7

Biodegradation (decomposition) is the chemical dissolution of materials by microorganisms (or their enzymes)or other biological means