microbial fermentation technology Flashcards
What is mutagenesis?
Mutagenesis is the process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed, resulting in a mutation.
True or False: Mutagenesis can occur naturally or be induced artificially.
True
Name one method of mutagenesis.
Chemical mutagenesis
What is the purpose of improving microbial strains?
To enhance desired traits such as growth rate, yield, or resistance to environmental stresses.
Fill in the blank: The introduction of foreign DNA into a microorganism is known as __________.
transformation
What is a common application of improved microbial strains in industry?
Production of antibiotics
Which method of introducing foreign DNA is commonly used in plants?
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
True or False: All mutations are beneficial to the organism.
False
What is the main advantage of using mutagenesis in microbial strain improvement?
It can create genetic diversity for selection of desirable traits.
Name a disadvantage of mutagenesis.
It can lead to unintended mutations that may be harmful.
What does the term ‘horizontal gene transfer’ refer to?
The transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.
Which technique involves the use of plasmids to introduce foreign DNA?
Cloning
True or False: Recombinant DNA technology is a method of mutagenesis.
True
What is one of the major concerns regarding the use of genetically modified microorganisms?
Potential environmental impact and biosecurity risks.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a method that uses UV light to induce mutations.
Photomutagenesis
What is the role of selection in the process of strain improvement?
To isolate and propagate organisms with desirable mutations.
Name one industrial application of microbial fermentation.
Production of biofuels
True or False: All methods of mutagenesis are safe for human health.
False
What is CRISPR technology used for in microbial strain improvement?
Targeted gene editing to enhance specific traits.
Fill in the blank: __________ mutagenesis uses radiation to induce mutations.
Radiation
What is the primary goal of synthetic biology in the context of microbial strains?
To design and construct new biological parts and systems.
Name a benefit of using genetically modified microbes in agriculture.
Increased crop yield and resistance to pests.
True or False: Mutagenesis can only be performed on bacteria.
False
What is a key difference between natural and artificial mutagenesis?
Natural mutagenesis occurs without human intervention, while artificial mutagenesis is induced by humans.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the technique used to transfer DNA into bacterial cells using calcium chloride.
Transformation
What is the significance of the ‘gene of interest’ in genetic engineering?
It is the specific gene that is targeted for modification or introduction into the organism.
Name one method to analyze genetic modifications in microbial strains.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
True or False: All strains created through mutagenesis are patentable.
False
What is the purpose of using antibiotic resistance markers in genetic engineering?
To select for successfully transformed cells.
Fill in the blank: __________ is when DNA is introduced into a cell using electroporation.
Electroporation
What is one potential disadvantage of using recombinant DNA technology?
It may raise ethical concerns regarding genetic modification.
What is the role of enzymes like restriction endonucleases in genetic engineering?
To cut DNA at specific sequences for cloning or modification.
True or False: Genetic engineering can only be applied to prokaryotic organisms.
False
What does ‘genetic drift’ refer to in microbial populations?
Random changes in allele frequencies in a population over time.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process where a microorganism’s DNA is altered to improve its characteristics.
Genetic modification
What are transgenic organisms?
Organisms that contain genes from other species.
Name one application of microbial strains in bioremediation.
Degradation of pollutants.
True or False: The use of mutagens is completely harmless.
False
What is a potential benefit of using microbial strains in food production?
Improved fermentation processes and flavor development.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a method that uses viruses to introduce foreign DNA into bacteria.
Transduction
What does the term ‘biotechnology’ encompass in the context of microbial strains?
The use of living systems and organisms to develop products and processes.
Name one ethical concern regarding the use of genetically modified microorganisms.
Impact on biodiversity.
True or False: Genetic modification is only used for agricultural purposes.
False
What is the significance of metabolic engineering in microbial strain improvement?
To optimize metabolic pathways for increased production of desired compounds.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process of creating a strain with enhanced traits through selective breeding.
Strain selection
