Cloning And Biotechnology Flashcards
What is the definition of biotechnology?
The industrial use of living organisms in industrial processes
Why are microorganisms used in biotechnological processes?
Can use waste from industry, not dependent on climate, production can take place at lower temperatures/pressures, cheaper, no ethical issues, rapid life cycle, specific/simple requirements, easily genetically modified.
What is indirect food production?
Eat effects of what microorganisms do, don’t actually eat microorganism
What is direct food production?
Grow organisms in order to eat them
Advantages of using microorganisms to produce human food?
Reproduce fast, produce protein faster than animals and plants. Higher protein content, little fat.
Use a variety of waste materials, reducing cost.
Genetically modified easily to produce more protein.
Not dependent on weather, breeding cycles etc, takes place constantly.
No welfare issues when growing microorganisms.
Can be made to taste like anything.
Disadvantages of using microorganisms to produce human food?
Some produce toxins if conditions aren’t optimum.
Microorganisms have to be separated from nutrient broth and processed to make them food.
Need sterile condition - costly.
Concerns about eating GM food.
Protein has to be purified to make sure there’s no toxins/contaminants.
Thought of eating microorganisms grown on waste.
Little natural flavour.
What are the 4 parts of a growth curve?
Lag phase
Log/exponential phase
Stationary phase
Death/decline phase
What happens in the lag phase of a growth curve?
When bacteria are adapting to their new environment. They are growing, synthesising the enzymes they need and are not reproducing at their maximum rate.
What happens in the log/exponential phase of a growth curve?
When the rate of bacterial reproduction is close to/at its theoretical maximum rate. Plenty of nutrients/space
What happens in the stationary phase of a growth curve?
When the total growth rate=zero. Number of new cell created by binary fission is equal to the number of cells dying. Waste materials are building up, less space/nutrients.
What happens in the decline/death phase of a growth curve?
When reproduction has almost ceased and death rate of cells is increasing.
What are primary metabolites?
Small molecules which are essential for the normal growth of microorganisms
When are primary metabolites produced?
During the log/exponential phase
What are secondary metabolites?
Products that are not essential for the growth of microorganisms but are useful in other ways eg penicillin
When are secondary metabolites produced?
Stationary phase
Why are fermenters made of stainless steal?
Allow easy steam cleaning, doesn’t corrode when acids are formed during fermentation
What occurs to the tank of a fermenter before the sterile nutrient solution is added?
Steam sterilisation
No contaminant microorganisms
What conditions need to be controlled in a fermenter and why?
Temp/pH, denature enzymes, reduce aerobic respiration
Oxygen content - needed for aerobic respiration
Pressure - avoid explosions
What is produced as microorganisms respire in a fermenter?
Heat
How is heat controlled in a fermenter?
Water jacket (cool down) Stirrers (distribute heat)
What elements do microorganisms need?
Carbon - component of organic molecules
Nitrogen - Component of amino acids/protein/ATP
Sulphur - Component of some amino acids
Phosphorus - Component of nucleic acids / phospholipids / ATP
What type of fermentation is better for producing primary metabolites?
Continuous - kept in exponential growth phase
What type of fermentation is better for producing secondary metabolites?
Batch - Removed when in stationary phase
What are the 2 types of fermentation?
Batch
Continuous
