Biotechnology Flashcards
Biotechnology is used to provide what?
Useful substances eg foods: cheese and bread, and chemicals such as insulin
Services eg tests for chemical pollutants
What is biotechnology?
The alteration of natural bio molecules using science and engineering.
What is a fermenter?
A large vessel used to grow microorganisms that produce biomolecules
Why is he culture in the fermenter continually stirred?
So all cells are growing in the best conditions
What conditions are continually monitored inside of the fermenter?
Aseptic precautions
Temperature
PH
Oxygen
Name some examples of food from microorganisms
Bread (yeast)
Yogurt (lactobacillus bacteria)
Mycoprotein (fusarium fungus)
Beer/ wine (yeast)
Making yogurt from milk
Fresh milk warmed
A culture of bacteria added to milk
Bacteria converts lactose to lactic acid
Making he mixture sour and causes it to thicken
What is mycoprotein?
Protein-rich rood manufactured using the fungus Fusarium sp (a species of Fusarium). The fungus is grown in large fermenters
Advantages of using microorganisms for food production
Rapid population growth
Ease of manipulation
Doesn’t waste land needed for plants and animals
Waste products can be used as nutrients for growing microorganisms
How to make mycoprotein? (Fermenter)
The fungus makes long thread-like hyphae, which gives mycoprotein a fibrous texture. The broth in the fermenter isn’t stirred as it would damage the hyphae.
