other processes involving biotechnology

Question 1

what is a fermenter

Answer 1

large stainless steel container

Question 2

what is the function of a fermenter

Answer 2

control growing conditions for microorganisms/ microbes and ensure best possible yield

Question 3

list conditions controlled in a fermenter and why

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

how is a fermenter sterilised

Answer 4

superheated steam

Question 5

around a fermenter there is a water jacket inlet what does this do

Answer 5

allows water circulation around the fermenter to regulate temperature

water can leave through water jacket outlet

Question 6

what are the three inlets of a fermenter

Answer 6

air inlet
nutritent inlet
water jacket inlet

Question 7

what is a nutrient inlet

Answer 7

a entrance in the fermenter where nutrients can be added during the process (continuous)

Question 8

what is the function of the rotating blades

Answer 8

stir ingredients
create even distribution of contents in fermenter

Question 9

how do rotating blades regulate temperature

Answer 9

mixes and distributes contents and gives an overall, evenly distributed temperature

Question 10

what is batch culture

Answer 10

cells are placed under stress to produce products.
culture is fermented for a specific time and then emptied

secondary metabolites

Question 11

what is continuous culture

Answer 11

product regularly removes and nutrients topped up regularly
primary metabolites

Question 12

what is a primary metabolite

Answer 12

microorganism synthesis products continually by active growing or metabolism

require nutrients

Question 13

what is a secondary metabolite

Answer 13

product made by microorganisms when places under stress

Question 14

how do you place microorganisms under stress

Answer 14

provide a too dense population- competition.

limit nutrient supply

Question 15

during batch culture, products are made during stationary phase why

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

what does the air inlet allow

Answer 16

sterile air to enter the fermenter and allow oxygen for aerobic respiration

Question 17

what is asepsis and why is it important

Answer 17

ensuring that sterile conditions are maintained. because a nutrient medium would grow unwanted microorganisms therefore asepsis prevents growth.

Question 18

why would unwanted microorganisms reduce production

Answer 18

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

Question 19

who produced penicilin

Answer 19

florey and chain

Question 20

what type of metabolite is penicillin

Answer 20

secondary- only produced by batch culture. only when population reaches a specific size.

Question 21

what is bioremeditation

Answer 21

using microorganisms to cleean soil and underground water on polluted sites.

Question 22

how do microorganisms clean through bioremeditation

Answer 22

organisms convert toxic pollutants to less harmful substances, by eating and digesting contaminants

Question 23

what is used to breakdown crude oil is bioremeditation

Answer 23

pseudomonas bacterium breaks down crude oil- bioremeditation

Question 24

how is insulin produced

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

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

Answer 25

temperature
ph
available water

Question 26

what are the advantages of bioremeditation

Answer 26

uses natural system
no labour required
good for in situ treatment
fewer waste products
less risk of exposure when cleaning

Question 27

what is a disadvantage of bioremeditation

Answer 27

not suitable for certain products e.g. heavy metals cant be bioremeditated.