Biotechnology & Genetic Modification (21)

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What’s the use of bacteria

Microorganisms can be used by humans to produce foods and other useful substances

What’s the most common type of microorganism

Bacteria

Why is microorganisms useful (EXAMPLE)

They are useful because they are capable of producing complex molecules

What is yeast used for in biofuel production?

Yeast uses sugar as its food source, and through anaerobic respiration, it produces ethanol which can be used as biofuel.

How is biofuel produced using yeast?

Plant material is broken up, mixed with yeast, and then yeast cells use the plant material for anaerobic respiration, producing ethanol.

Why is biofuel production from yeast beneficial in places like Brazil?

Biofuel production helps replace petrol as a fuel source for vehicles, offering a sustainable alternative.

What happens during the bread-making process regarding yeast?

Yeast respires anaerobically in the presence of sugar, producing carbon dioxide that causes the bread dough to rise.

How does pectinase assist in fruit juice production?

Pectinase breaks down pectin in fruit cell walls, allowing for more juice to be released when the fruit is squeezed.

What advantages do biological washing powders provide?

They quickly break down large organic molecules at lower temperatures, saving energy and allowing cleaning of delicate fabrics.

What is lactose intolerance and how can it be managed?

Lactose intolerance occurs when individuals lose the ability to produce lactase; it can be managed by consuming lactose-free milk produced by adding lactase.

Who discovered penicillin and what is its significance?

Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 as the first antibiotic, which inhibits bacterial growth.

What is mycoprotein and how is it produced?

Mycoprotein is a protein-rich food made from the fungus Fusarium, cultured in fermenters under controlled conditions.

How is human insulin produced using genetic modification?

The gene for human insulin is inserted into bacteria, which then produce insulin that can be collected and purified for medical use.

What is genetic modification?

Genetic modification is changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing, or inserting individual genes from another organism.

What is a transgenic organism?

An organism that has received genetic material from another organism is referred to as a ‘transgenic organism’.

What is recombinant DNA?

The DNA of an organism that contains DNA from another organism is known as ‘recombinant DNA’.

What is one example of genetic modification in bacteria?

The gene for human insulin has been inserted into bacteria, which then produce human insulin that can be collected and purified for medical use.

How have crop plants been genetically modified for pest resistance?

Crop plants, such as wheat and maize, have been genetically modified to contain a gene from a bacterium that produces a poison that kills insects, making them resistant to insect pests.

How have crop plants been genetically modified for herbicide resistance?

Some crop plants have been genetically modified to be resistant to certain herbicides, allowing the herbicide to kill weeds without harming the crop.

What is 'golden rice'?

‘Golden rice’ is a genetically modified crop that contains genes from another plant and a bacterium to enable the rice grains to produce a chemical that is turned into vitamin A in the human body.

What is the purpose of genetically modifying crops to produce additional vitamins?

The purpose is to help prevent deficiency diseases in certain areas of the world.