Microorganisms, medicines, and bioremediation

Question 1

What is penicillin made from?

Answer 1

• by the mould Penicillum chrysogenum

Question 2

How is P. chryosgenum produced?

Answer 2

• needs high oxygen, nutrient rich medium, sensitive to pH and temperature
• semi-continuous batch process used
  
  • fungus grows, in second stages it produces penicillin, finally drug is extracted from medium and purified
    *

Question 3

What must be present for effective insulin production

Answer 3

• continuously stirred
• buffer present (pH = 6.5)
  
  • sensitive to pH
• bioreactors maintained at room temp
  
  • sensitive to temp
• smal fermenters as dfficult to maintain high oxygen in large reactors
  
  • requires high oxygen
• nutrient rich medium

Question 4

How did insulin used to be obtained?

Answer 4

• pancreas of animal
• ethical/religious issues
  
  • pig/muslims
• relied on meat supply
  
  • fewer animals killed, lower insulin supply
• allergic

Question 5

How is insulin produced now?

Answer 5

• GM bacteria
• produe human insulin
  
  • smaller chance of rejection

Question 6

What is bioremediation?

Answer 6

• using microorganisms to break down pollutants and contaminants in the soil or in water

Question 7

What are the two types of bioremidation?> How do they differ?

Answer 7

• Natural organism
  
  • many organisms break down organic material in soil and water
  • if supported they will break down contaminants
  • e.g. add nutrients to oil spill to encourage bacterial growth and oil dispersed for max SA
• GM organisms
  
  • break down or accumulate contaminants they would not usually encounter
  • e.g. bacteria modified to remove toxic mercury from water