Past Exam Questions

Question 1

State the temperature range of psychrophiles

Answer 1

-5 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius

Question 2

State the temperature range of mesophiles

Answer 2

20 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius

Question 3

State the temperature range of thermophiles

Answer 3

45 degrees Celsius to 75 degrees Celsius

Question 4

What is the main use of lactic acid bacteria in food production?

Answer 4

Making of cheese and yogurt

Question 5

What is the main use of lactobacillus bulgaricus in food production?

Answer 5

Yogurt

Question 6

What is the main use of yeast in food production?

Answer 6

Bread making

Question 7

Define aerobic microorganisms

Answer 7

Microorganisms that require oxygen to survive

Question 8

Define anaerobic microorganisms

Answer 8

Microorganisms that do not require oxygen to survive

Question 9

Define facultative microorganisms

Answer 9

Microorganisms that can survive with or without oxygen

Question 10

State one use of moulds in food production

Answer 10

Penicillium is used in making blue-veined cheese

Question 11

State one use of yeast in food production

Answer 11

Bread making

Question 12

State one use of large fungi in food production

Answer 12

Mushrooms can be used in making meals such as curries

Question 13

List five conditions required for the growth of moulds

Answer 13

Food 
pH 
Oxygen 
Moisture
Time 
Warmth

Question 14

State two uses of microorganisms in food production

Answer 14

Penicillium mould is used in making blue veined cheese

Yeast is used in bread making

Question 15

Discuss how food is needed for the growth of moulds

Answer 15

Moulds are saprophytic which means they feed of non-living matter

Question 16

Discuss how moisture is needed for the growth of moulds

Answer 16

Moulds require moisture to growth

They require an a.w. (water activation) level of 0.8 or above

Question 17

Discuss how warmth is needed for the growth of moulds.

Answer 17

Moulds are mesophilic and grow best between 20 and 45 degrees Celsius

Question 18

Discuss how oxygen is needed for the growth of moulds

Answer 18

Moulds are aerobic which means they require oxygen to grow

Question 19

Discuss how pH level is needed for the growth of moulds

Answer 19

Moulds grow in slightly acidic environments
Mould growth are inhibited by extremely acidic conditions
Mould growth is inhibited by alkaline conditions

Question 20

Name one type of mould

Answer 20

Penicillium

Question 21

Describe penicillium

6 points

Answer 21

Ascomycete
20-25 degrees
Saprophytic
Asexual
Green-powdery mould
Conidia only

Question 22

How does penicillium reproduce?

Answer 22

Asexually

Question 23

Describe how penicillium reproduces asexually

3 points

Answer 23

A hypha grows upwards from a mycelium
The hypha produces a conidia (chained structure made of unprotected spores)
Conidia breaks away releasing spores into the environment

Question 24

Outline the uses of microorganisms in food production

Answer 24

Large fungi:
-some are edible e.g. truffles
Yeasts:
-used in bread and beer making
Mould:
-penicillium is used to make blue-veined cheese and -aspergillus flavus is used to make mycoprotein
Bacteria:
-lactobacillus bulgaricus is used in yogurt making
-lactic acid bacteria is used in cheese making