Microorgansims and biotechnology

Question 1

What is biotechnology?

Answer 1

• biotechnology involves applying biological organisms or enzymes to the synthesis, breakdown, or transformation of materials in the service of peopel

Question 2

What is the advantage of using microorganisms?

Answer 2

• no welfare issues
  
  • all is needed is optimum growth condtions
• range of microorganisms that carry out many different chemical syntheses or degradations that can be used
• GE manipulate organisms to carry out synthesis they would not do naturally
• short life span and rapid growth rate
• simple and cheap nutrient requirements
  
  • GM to utilise material that would be wated
• relatively low temperature, supply of oxygen and food, and removal of waste gases
  
  • provide own catalysts
  • cheaper than high temp and pressure and expensive catalysts

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of using microorganisms for food production?

Answer 3

• conditions that are ideal for growth can also be ideal for microorganisms that cause the food to off or cause diseases
  
  • so processes have to be sterile
• some people have ethical issues about the use of GM organisms
  
  • although generally this is less than the case with plants or animals

Question 4

Describe the process of baking?

Answer 4

• yeast makes bread rise
• CO2 produced by fermentation of sugar in the dough makes sure the bead doesn’t stay flat

Question 5

Describe the process of brewing

Answer 5

• yeast added to a type of grain and other ingredients
• yeast respires anaerobically using glucose from the grain
• produces ethanol and CO2
• when anaerobic respiration produces ethanol, it is fermentation

Question 6

describe the process of cheese making?

Answer 6

• cheese rely on rennet
  
  • contains enzyme chymosin, which clots milk
  • traditionally extracted from the lining of calves’ stomachs
  • now obtained from GM yeast cells
• involves lactic acid bacteria​
  
  • convert the alctose in milk into lactic acid
  • Lactobacillis and Streptococcus
  • turn it osur
  • cotnroubute to solidifying
• blue cheese
  
  • addition of fungi to make blue veins

Question 7

How is yoghurt made?

Answer 7

• lactic acid bacteria to clot the milk and cause it thicken

Question 8

WHat is single-cell protein?

Answer 8

• microorganisms directly produce protein
• known as single-cell protein
• made of the fungus Fusarium venetatum

Question 9

How is SCP produced?

Answer 9

• Fusarium venetatum, single celled fungus grown in large fermenters using glucose syrup as a food source
• microorganisms are combined with albumen (egg white) and then compressed and formed into meat substitutents

Question 10

Why is SCP useful

Answer 10

• high in protein, low in fat

Question 11

What are the advantages of using microorganisms to produce human food?

Answer 11

• rapid - produce protein faster than plants / animals
• high protein little fat
• be grown on waste materials - reducing cost
• can be GM to produce required protein
• not dependant on weather, breeding - takes place constantly
• no welfar issues
• can be made to taste like anything

Question 12

What are the disadvatages of using microorganisms to produce human food?

Answer 12

• some produce toxins if conditions not maintained at optimum
• microorganims habe to be separated
• sterile conditions - careful control - add to cost
• people have concerns about GM organisms
• protein purified - no contaminants or doxins
• many people disagree with eating microorganisms grown on waste
• has little natural flavour, needs additivies