Biotech and cloning Flashcards
what is biotechnology ?
the industrial use of living organisms (usually microorganisms) to produce food,drugs and other products
why are microorganisms usually used for biotech ?
- ideal growth conditions easily created
- grow rapidly, so products are made quickly
- can be grown on inexpensive materials
- can be grown any time of year
what is the role of microorganisms in the making of beer
yeast is added and anaerobically respires to produce ethanol and CO2 (fermentation)
what is the role of microorganisms in the making of bread
yeast respires, producing CO2, causing bread to rise
what is the role of microorganisms in the making of cheese
- chymosin (enzyme for clotting) obtained from genetically modified yeast
- lactic acid bacteria also used to convert lactose to lactic acid
what is the role of microorganisms in the making of yogurt
lactic acid bacteria
what is the role of microorganisms in the making of penicillin
certain fungi produce penicillin in times of stress to stop bacteria competing
what is the role of microorganisms in the making of insulin
- made by genetically modified bacteria with gene inserted
what is the role of microorganisms in bioremediation ?
- bacteria given nutrients to grow
- they break down pollutants into less harmful products
what are the advantages of microorganisms producing food ?
- can grow using waste (can be used to get rid of waste)
- low production cost, quick and easy
- can be cultured anywhere (could help with malnutrition in certain countries)
- healthier alternative
what are the disadvantages of microorganisms producing food ?
- a lot of care needed for preventing contamination
- people don’t like idea of grown on waste
- not same texture/flavor as meat
- high levels of uric acid may occur
define culture
a population of one type of microorganism thats been grown in controlled conditions
what are cultures grown in ?
fermentation vessels
what are the factors for culture growth ?
pH, temp, access to nutrients, vol of oxygen, vessel kept sterile
what is a closed culture ?
growth of culture is isolated from outside of vessel (no nutrients added…)
state the 4 stages of a closed culture
- lag phase
- exponential (log) phase
- stationary phase (poisonous waste builds up)
- decline (death) phase