ENV311 Environmental Biotechnology Lecture 1

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Questions and Answers

In the context of environmental biotechnology, what is the ultimate implication of excessive nitrogen fertilizer use on soil microbiota complexity?

It reduces the functional diversity of vital microbial taxa within the soil, leading to a breakdown of complex biogeochemical interactions within the soil. (correct)
It fosters syntrophic relationships where certain microbial species counteract the inhibitory effects of excess nitrogen, thereby maintaining species diversity.
It causes a disturbance in the microbial consortia, potentially triggering an increased resilience of the soil, reflected in an increased species richness.
It triggers a positive feedback loop, accelerating the proliferation of Actinobacteria and enhancing the overall biodegradation capacity of the ecosystem.

Considering the hidden economic costs associated with nitrogen fertilizer use, what broad societal implications can be indirectly attributed to these costs, beyond the explicit costs of healthcare or water treatment?

Heightened consumer demand for organic produce, spurring the development of innovative organic farming techniques and soil management practices.
Increased availability of federal funding for sustainable agriculture subsidies and education programs for public awareness.
Reduction in regional GDP due to decreased crop production from degradation, leading to increased dependence on imported crops and economic strain. (correct)
Enhanced public investment in phytoremediation research, catalysing the development of environmental biotechnology.

In the context of biological solutions for nitrogen provision in plants, what selective advantage would a genetically modified microbe need to possess to successfully establish itself with plant roots?

Enhanced chemotactic targeting of root exudates coupled with the ability to competitively exclude other nitrogen-fixing bacteria. (correct)
Improved compatibility with a wide range of soil pH conditions for optimal microbial growth and nitrogen fixation rates.
Higher tolerance to commonly used herbicide and pesticide treatments that are not detrimental to the host plant.
Increased production of siderophores that sequester iron and increase bio-availability of other trace minerals at the rhizosphere.

When evaluating the feasibility of a bioremediation strategy that employs a microbial consortium, what key ecological principle should govern the selection of species to ensure community stability and robustness?

The selected species should exhibit strong mutualistic interactions and metabolic redundancy within the consortium to buffer environmental perturbations. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the range of genetic engineering applications to enhance bioremediation, what is the most critical factor that guides the choice between in situ and ex situ genetic modification strategies?

The degree of environmental control necessary to monitor and contain the engineered microorganisms, as well as the scale of the contamination. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of constructing a microbial biosensor for environmental monitoring, what specific characteristics should the selected promoter region possess to ensure optimal device sensitivity and robustness in the presence of target pollutants?

The promoter should possess a wide dynamic range and be highly specific to the target pollutant, exhibiting minimal cross-reactivity with other environmental stressors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for wastewater treatment, what conditions would influence the overall performance and efficiency of bioelectricity generation, given complex substrates?

The redox potential of the wastewater and the strategic implementation of a redox mediator to facilitate electron transfer from bacteria to electrode. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary pressures might lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in microbial communities within a wastewater treatment plant, and what long-term strategies would be most effective in mitigating this issue?

Low concentrations of antibiotics, mitigated by implementing advanced oxidation processes and reducing sub-inhibitory exposure. (D) Signup and view all the answers

When engineering a microbial system for the degradation of recalcitrant pollutants, what is the importance of understanding the co-metabolic capabilities of selected microorganisms, particularly concerning substrate specificity?

Co-metabolism enhances the range of pollutants metabolized by the microorganisms, requiring careful addition of structurally similar co-substrates to achieve pollutant degradation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the most important factors to contemplate when considering the risk-benefit ratio of employing genetically modified bacteria in in situ bioremediation of contaminated soil compared to ex situ strategies?

The potential for horizontal gene transfer to indigenous microbial communities and subsequent disruption of natural biogeochemical cycles. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When using Pseudomonas putida for the bioremediation of oil spills, what novel approach could be implemented to enhance its degradation effectiveness?

Engineering P. putida for increased production of biosurfactants to emulsify hydrocarbons, thereby enhancing their bioavailability and subsequent metabolism. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what ways could halophilic archaea, such as Halobacterium, demonstrate a unique advantage over bacterial counterparts when used in treatment of hypersaline industrial wastewater?

Halobacterium has evolved specialized enzymes and membrane structures to better maintain internal osmotic balance and prevent protein denaturation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When considering the implementation of Streptomyces coelicolor for composting, which physiological characteristic must be enhanced to broaden the substrates it can degrade?

Its production of cellulases, hemicellulases, and lignin-modifying enzymes required to breakdown the complexity of plant-derived polymers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the symbiotic relationship between Anabaena azollae and Azolla contribute to sustainable agriculture, especially in rice paddies, compared to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers?

Anabaena azollae provides sustained release of nitrogen, preventing nutrient spikes, enhancing nitrogen uptake efficiency over synthetic options. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Given Phanerochaete chrysosporium's role in lignin degradation, what pre-treatment strategy is essential to enhance its efficacy for bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated soils?

Amending the soil with organic matter, enhancing bioavailability, stimulating ligninolytic activity, and establishing effective microbial communities. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In biological wastewater management, what is the most significant advantage of integrating Chlorella vulgaris in treatment systems beyond simple bioremediation?

Chlorella vulgaris produces significant amounts of lipids for biodiesel, simultaneously treating and recycling waste for renewable energy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

When using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in bioleaching, what sophisticated strategy can improve metal recovery rates from low-grade ores and minimize environmental impact?

Optimise media pH to increase bacterial activity, and use genetic engineering to enhance its metal tolerance and metabolic pathway efficiencies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Assuming a new xenobiotic compound is found, what is the first step in designing an in situ bioremediation strategy, ensuring minimal disruption of current bacteria?

Analyzing microbial community dynamics using metagenomics, pinpointing potential degradation species and minimizing effects on current communities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of quorum sensing in optimizing biofilm formation, particularly when multiple species are used for processing complex substrates in wastewater treatments?

Quorum sensing coordinates secretion of extracellular enzymes, improving the efficiency of substrate degradation and nutrient exchange within the biofilm. (B) Signup and view all the answers

If an industrial process is designed for enhanced pollutant removal, what main advantage do industrial treatment systems using pure strains offer over systems using mixed cultures?

Enhanced catabolic efficiency and tolerance to toxic pollutants, enabling to maintain optimal performance through consistent microbial communities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Biodiversity

The variations in naturally occurring organisms in any ecosystem.

Sustainability

Preservation of natural resources and ecosystems for future generations.