other processes involving biotechnology Flashcards
what is a fermenter
large stainless steel container
what is the function of a fermenter
control growing conditions for microorganisms/ microbes and ensure best possible yield
list conditions controlled in a fermenter and why
temp- enzymes will denature
ph- enzyme denaturation and growth and synthesis will be affected
nutrient availability- microorganisms need nutrients to grow the product
o2- most microorganisms used in biotechnology aerobically respire, therefore o2 concentration needs to be controlled.
how is a fermenter sterilised
superheated steam
around a fermenter there is a water jacket inlet what does this do
allows water circulation around the fermenter to regulate temperature
water can leave through water jacket outlet
what are the three inlets of a fermenter
air inlet
nutritent inlet
water jacket inlet
what is a nutrient inlet
a entrance in the fermenter where nutrients can be added during the process (continuous)
what is the function of the rotating blades
stir ingredients
create even distribution of contents in fermenter
how do rotating blades regulate temperature
mixes and distributes contents and gives an overall, evenly distributed temperature
what is batch culture
cells are placed under stress to produce products.
culture is fermented for a specific time and then emptied
secondary metabolites
what is continuous culture
product regularly removes and nutrients topped up regularly
primary metabolites
what is a primary metabolite
microorganism synthesis products continually by active growing or metabolism
require nutrients
what is a secondary metabolite
product made by microorganisms when places under stress
how do you place microorganisms under stress
provide a too dense population- competition.
limit nutrient supply
during batch culture, products are made during stationary phase why
it is when population is at its highest, carrying capacity. where competition is at its highest and microorganisms are under most stress.
this is when products are produced.
what does the air inlet allow
sterile air to enter the fermenter and allow oxygen for aerobic respiration
what is asepsis and why is it important
ensuring that sterile conditions are maintained. because a nutrient medium would grow unwanted microorganisms therefore asepsis prevents growth.
why would unwanted microorganisms reduce production
contamination- can cause products in the fermenter to be unusable and reduces yield
competition- unwanted microorganisms will compete with culture microorganisms.
can produce toxic chemicals
can destroy cultured microorganisms
who produced penicilin
florey and chain
what type of metabolite is penicillin
secondary- only produced by batch culture. only when population reaches a specific size.
what is bioremeditation
using microorganisms to cleean soil and underground water on polluted sites.
how do microorganisms clean through bioremeditation
organisms convert toxic pollutants to less harmful substances, by eating and digesting contaminants
what is used to breakdown crude oil is bioremeditation
pseudomonas bacterium breaks down crude oil- bioremeditation
how is insulin produced
human insulin was developed by genetically modified bacteria. gene was combined with plasmid(vector). so gene can be inserted into the bacterium.
bacteria will be produced in vast quantities, producing insulin at a low cost.
bioremeditation involved stimulating growth of suitable microbes. these microorganisms eat the contaminants of the things they clean.
what are the right conditions for the growth of these microorganisms
temperature
ph
available water
what are the advantages of bioremeditation
uses natural system
no labour required
good for in situ treatment
fewer waste products
less risk of exposure when cleaning
what is a disadvantage of bioremeditation
not suitable for certain products e.g. heavy metals cant be bioremeditated.
what product is usually made in a fermenter
commerical drugs due to ability to control conditions.
