1. Introduction to micro-organisms and bio-molecules

How many naturally occurring amino acids are there?

There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids that are used by cells to synthesise proteins.

What does the structure of an amino acid contain?

An amino acid structure contains a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines its properties.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are the structural units of proteins (monomers of proteins)

What are the different structures of proteins?

Proteins have four levels of structure: primary (sequence of amino acids), secondary (alpha helices and beta sheets), tertiary (three-dimensional shape), and quaternary (assembly of multiple polypeptide chains).

What are few examples of proteins?

Examples of proteins include collagenase, lipase, trypsin and haemoglobin

What does the protein function depend on?

The function of a protein depends on its three-dimensional shape and structure, which determines how it interacts with other molecules. (If a protein loses its shape, it also loses its function)

What are lipids? What are some examples?

Lipids are molecules made from glycerol & fatty acids. Examples include triglycerides, phospholipids & cholesterol.

What are the functions of triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol?

• Triglycerides store energy

• Phospholipids form membranes

• Cholesterol helps regulate membrane properties and acts as a precursor for steroid molecules

What are carbohydrates? What are the different types of carbohydrates?

• Carbohydrates are molecules that consist of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (CHO)

• there are monosaccharides (simple sugars), disaccharides and polysaccharides (starch & cellulose)

What are the three domains of life?

• Bacteria (unicellular)

• Archaea (unicellular)

• Eukarya (multicellular)

What are the different taxonomy classifications?

• Domain

• Kingdom

• Phylum

• Class

• Order

• Family

• Genus

• Species

What do unicellular organisms and multicellular organisms do?

Unicellular organisms perform all essential functions within a single cell while multicellular organisms rely on specialised cells working together.

What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology exploits the natural metabolic and synthetic capabilities of cells to convert simple raw materials into food, fuels, chemicals and medicines.

Why is the size of cells and biological products an important engineering parameter?

• Because it influences how they are cultured, handled and separated during a bioprocess.

• Understanding biological size scales helps engineers design both upstream operations, such as mixing and aeration, and downstream operations, such as filtration, centrifugation and product recovery.

What are the applications of human cells in cell-based products?

Novel drug or food applications rely on human cells engineered to recognise and eliminate tumour cells within the body or expanding muscle cells from animals for meat production.

What determines how a bioprocess must be designed, operated and controlled?

• Biological characteristics of cells and biomolecules determine how a bioprocess must be designed, operated and controlled.

• A successful bioprocess works with the biology of the system rather than treating the cell as just another chemical reactor.