use of biological resources

Question 1

Role of lactobacillus in the production of yoghurt

Answer 1

converts the lactose into lactic acid which makes the yoghurt sour and thickens the milk to form yoghurt

Question 2

Describe the process of insulin production

Answer 2

The human insulin gene is removed using a
restriction enzyme.

A bacterial plasmid is cut open using the same restriction enzyme.

Restriction enzymes leave ‘sticky ends’, where one of the two DNA strands is longer than the other.

Using the same restriction enzyme to cut both the human DNA and bacterial plasmid results in complementary sticky ends that join by base pairing.

A different enzyme is used to join the insulin gene and the bacterial plasmid.

The bacterial plasmid containing the insulin gene is placed into a bacterial cell.

The bacterial cell is placed in a fermenter to allow reproduction under perfect conditions (warmth, moisture and oxygen).

Downstreaming occurs – this is when insulin is extracted, purified
and packaged.

-The pure insulin produced can be used to treat diabetes.