Biotechnology: Applications and GMOs

What is the main product of the fermentation process used for making beer?

Which organism is commonly added to milk to make yogurt?

What contributes to the tangy flavor of fermented meats like salami?

Which vitamin can be enhanced hundred to three hundred fold using microbes?

What is the purpose of treating juice with sulfur dioxide in winemaking?

Which of the following best describes genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

What is the significance of single-cell protein (SCP) in food processing and production?

In the context of biotechnology, what is the role of transgenes?

What is the primary source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) production in biotechnology?

How is vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) commonly obtained for use in biotechnology?

Fermentation and Food Processing

The primary product of the fermentation process in beer making is ethanol (alcohol).
Lactic acid bacteria are commonly added to milk to produce yogurt, leading to fermentation and thickening of the milk.
The tangy flavor in fermented meats like salami is contributed by the production of lactic acid and various flavor compounds during fermentation.

Vitamins and Microbial Enhancement

Microbes can enhance the production of certain vitamins, notably increasing vitamin availability by 100 to 300 times.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is primarily produced in biotechnology using genetically modified strains of certain microorganisms.

Winemaking and Preservation

In winemaking, sulfur dioxide is treated with juice primarily to act as a preservative, preventing oxidation and microbial spoilage.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are best described as organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to exhibit desired traits.

Single-Cell Protein (SCP)

Single-cell protein (SCP) is significant in food processing and production as a sustainable protein source, derived from microorganisms used in fermentation processes.

Role of Transgenes

In biotechnology, transgenes play a crucial role as they are genes that have been introduced into an organism to confer specific traits, such as resistance to pests or improved nutritional content.

Vitamin B12 Production

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is commonly obtained for biotechnology applications through fermentation processes involving specific bacteria, particularly Propionibacterium species.

Explore the applications of biotechnology and learn about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their significance in altering the characteristics of living organisms. This quiz covers the development of products for the benefit of humans using living organisms and recombinant DNA technology.