fermentors

Question 1

what are the uses for an industrial fermenter

Answer 1

• produce extremely useful chemicals that can be used in medicine
• the fungus penicillium produces the antibiotic penicillin
• bacteria can be genetically engineered to produce human insulin
• used to grow micro-organisms on an industrial scale

Question 2

what does the cooling jacket do in an industrial fermenter

Answer 2

removes heat energy, stopping the fermenter overheating and enzymes denaturing

Question 3

what does the air filter do in an industrial fermenter

Answer 3

filters air coming in, maintaining sterile conditions

Question 4

what do the stirrers do in an industrial fermenter

Answer 4

keep the broth well stirred to oxygenate all parts of the fermenter and prevent micro-organisms settling

Question 5

what does the growth medium do in an industrial fermenter

Answer 5

contains all necessary glucose and amino acids for micro organism growth

Question 6

what does the super heated steam do in an industrial fermenter

Answer 6

applied before the fermenter is used, killing unwanted micro-organisms
leaves only water with no other residue

Question 7

what do the electronic probes do in an industrial fermenter

Answer 7

measure the oxygen, PH and temperature levels