BIOTECHNOLOGY & GENETIC MODIFICATION Flashcards
State uses of microorganisms
- Microorganisms can be used by humans to produce foods and other useful substances
What is the most common type of microorganisms
Bacteria
- Why is bacteria useful?
because they are capable of producing complex molecules
State an example of bacteria producing complex molecules
certain bacteria added to milk produce enzymes that turn the milk into yoghurt
- Why is bacteria useful?
They are also useful because they reproduce rapidly, meaning the amount of chemicals they can produce can also rapidly increase
- Why is bacteria useful?
There are few ethical considerations to growing them in large numbers in the laboratory
- Why is bacteria useful?
They possess plasmids
What are plasmids?
Plasmids are small, circular loops of DNA which can be an ideal way of transferring DNA from one cell to another during genetic manipulation
What is yeast?
Yeast is a single celled fungus that uses sugar as its food source
What happens when yeast respires?
When it respires, ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced (and energy is released)
State the symbol equation for anaerobic respiration in yeast
C6H12O6= 2C2H50H +2CO2
State the word equation for anaerobic respiration in yeast
glucose= ethanol + carbon dioxide
What is ethanol in the equation being used as?
A biofuel
What is a biofuel
a fuel made from living organisms rather than a fossil fuel like oil, coal or gas
What is used as the substrate for producing ethanol
plant material; as a source of glucose
How is ethanol formed
Plant material is chopped up into small pieces and mixed with yeast which respires anaerobically and produces ethanol. The liquid is separated from the remaining solids and any water is removed, leaving a concentrated solution of ethanol.
When will yeast respire anaerobically
When there is excess of sugar even if oxygen is available
How are plants harvested for producing ethanol?
Sometimes, waste parts of plants are used but in other places, crops are grown specifically to be harvested for making ethanol.
What is the effect does growing plants specifically for the production of ethanol?
It causes a reduction in land available for local people to grow food crops needed for survival.
How does bread rise?
The carbon dioxide produced by fermentation (anaerobic respiration) of glucose makes bread dough rise.
How is fruit juice made?
Chopping the fruit before squeezing helps to release a lot more juice but this does not break open all the cells so a lot of juice is lost
What is the name of the enzyme used in fruit juice production to break down cells so more juice is released
Pectinase
How does pectinase work?
It breaks down a chemical called pectin that is found inside plant cell walls. Once pectin is broken down, the cell walls break more easily and more juice can be squeezed out of the fruit.
How does pectinase work?
It breaks down a chemical called pectin that is found inside plant cell walls. Once pectin is broken down, the cell walls break more easily and more juice can be squeezed out of the fruit.
State another job of pectinase
Pectinase can also make juice clearer as large polysaccharides like pectin can make the juice seem cloudy so once they are broken down into smaller molecules, the juice becomes clearer
What is the effect of detergents that only contain soap
What is the effect of detergents that only contain soap
What is the effect of detergents that only contain soap
Detergents that only contain soap can remove some of these stains when mixed with hot water, but it can take a lot of time and effort and very high temperatures to remove the stain entirely
What are biological washing powders
They contain enzymes similar to the digestive enzymes produced in the alimentary canal that help to break down large food molecules
Advantages of using biological washing powders
