S9: Fermentation

Question 1

What are fermenters used for?

Answer 1

Used to grow microorganism that produce a valuable substance for humans, e.g. penicillin, alcohol, insulin, etc.

Question 2

What is the sterile air supply used for in a fermenter?

Answer 2

provide oxygen for aerobic respiration, and prevent any pathogens getting in

Question 3

What is the paddle stirrer used for in a fermenter?

Answer 3

Distribution of heat, organism, nutrients

Question 4

What is the probes used for in a fermenter?

Answer 4

Monitoring temperature and pH to be optimum form the enzymes in the micro organism.

Question 5

What is the water jacket used for in a fermenter?

Answer 5

Monitoring the temp, if it gets too hot, the water jacket will fill with water and cool it down so it stays at the optimum temp.

Question 6

What is the gas outlet used for in a fermenter?

Answer 6

For CO2 and waste gases to exit

Question 7

What is the microbe input used for in a fermenter?

Answer 7

Adding the microbes to the fermenter

Question 8

What is the nutrient input used for in a fermenter?

Answer 8

Adding glucose and mineral ions for growth, energy for the microbes

Question 9

What is the product outlet used for in a fermenter?

Answer 9

So the useful product can be taken out and filtered so it can be used.

Question 10

How is yeast used to produce bread?

Answer 10

When it aerobically respires, it releases CO2 and water - the CO2 causes the bread to rise.