Microbiology in Food Production

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Questions and Answers

Which type of bacteria is primarily associated with the fermentation of rye bread?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Lactobacillus plantarum (correct)

E. coli

Bacillus subtilis

What is the main product of yeast fermentation in bread dough?

Oxygen

Acetic acid

Ethanol

Carbon dioxide (correct)

What role does kneading play in bread-making?

Adds sugar to the dough

Increases alcohol content

Incorporates air into the dough (correct)

Decreases gluten structure

Which of the following is NOT a source of fermentable sugar for yeast metabolism?

Protein Signup and view all the answers

What is Single-cell protein (SCP) primarily used for?

As a source of crude or refined protein for animal feed and human food Signup and view all the answers

What raw materials can be used in the production of Single-cell protein?

Waste materials such as molasses, agricultural, and kitchen wastes Signup and view all the answers

What is one key aspect that differentiates home-baked bread from commercial bread?

Rate of fermentation Signup and view all the answers

Which process results in the production of a transgenic organism?

Genetic engineering Signup and view all the answers

Which microorganism is responsible for producing the animal feed known as Pruteen?

Methylophilus methylotrophus Signup and view all the answers

What type of acid is produced along with carbon dioxide during bread fermentation?

Lactic acid Signup and view all the answers

How is Vitamin B12 currently produced?

Fermentation using propionic bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following yeast strains is most commonly utilized in baking?

Baker's yeast Signup and view all the answers

What microbe is Spirulina classified as?

A spiral-shaped cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) Signup and view all the answers

What process is used to produce cultured buttermilk?

Adding Streptococcus cremoris to pasteurized skim milk Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin was the first to be produced through fermentation?

Vitamin C Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of mycoprotein makes it suitable for meat substitutes?

It has a filamentous texture Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of glyphosate as described?

To block an enzyme essential for plant growth Signup and view all the answers

How are plant cells made resistant to glyphosate?

By introducing a gene for glyphosate breakdown Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential negative outcome of cultivating insect-resistant crops?

Evolution of resistance by the insect pests Signup and view all the answers

What role does Agrobacterium tumefaciens play in genetic modification?

It infects plant cells to transfer DNA Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following crops has been modified to resist the corn borer?

Maize Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method for selecting plant cells that have taken up the plasmid containing the glyphosate resistance gene?

Growing them on a medium with an antibiotic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a genetically modified crop mentioned?

BT-Cotton Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a consequence of the genetic modification of crops for pest resistance?

Potential damage to other insect species Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of electrodes in bioelectronics?

To carry electrical signals from living organisms to storage devices Signup and view all the answers

Which substance is NOT mentioned as being measurable by biosensors?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is one application of the handheld aflatoxin detection system?

Monitoring food quality for aflatoxins Signup and view all the answers

How do forensic biologists contribute to paternity cases?

Through DNA analysis of specimens to establish relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of biosensors?

They only measure pollutants in water sources. Signup and view all the answers

In forensic science, what type of evidence is analyzed for DNA?

Blood, saliva, and hair samples Signup and view all the answers

What recent advancement has been made for biosensor durability and portability?

Handheld systems that detect aflatoxins Signup and view all the answers

What key role do fingerprints play in forensic science?

They serve as unique identifiers for individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the function of antibiotics produced by microorganisms?

They are complex organic compounds synthesized by the microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates bacteriostatic antibiotics from bacteriocidal antibiotics?

Bacteriostatic antibiotics prevent bacteria from reproducing, while bacteriocidal antibiotics kill the bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

Why do antibiotics typically not damage human cells?

Animal cells lack cell walls and have different protein production structures. Signup and view all the answers

Which microorganism is primarily responsible for producing streptomycin?

Streptomyces Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming?

It introduced the concept of using a naturally occurring substance as an antibiotic. Signup and view all the answers

What has changed about the production of penicillin since its discovery?

Different mutant forms of Penicillium are now used to produce it. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following antibiotics is NOT a chemically altered form of penicillin?

Streptomycin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of most antibiotics used today?

Fungi and bacteria found in the soil Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of inserting Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes into cotton crops?

To develop proteins that are toxic to insects Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes transgenic animals?

Animals that express recombinant DNA to produce human proteins Signup and view all the answers

What are transgenic plants primarily developed to achieve?

Creating plants with desirable traits such as disease resistance Signup and view all the answers

Why are transgenic plants closely monitored by government agencies?

To confirm they are safe for human consumption and the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is cloning in the context of biotechnology?

Producing identical copies of genes, cells, or organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which recombinant proteins are commonly produced in the milk of transgenic goats?

Human α-antitrypsin and Human protein C Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with the use of transgenic plants?

They may share foreign genes with other species in the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main advantages of cloning in biotechnology?

To produce identical copies with desirable characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biology Grade 12 Unit 1: Application of Biology

Biology is the science that studies all living things, from bacteria to whales.
It encompasses understanding organisms from the smallest (0.1 micrometer bacteria) to the largest (90,000 to 136,000 kilograms blue whales).

Applications of Biology

Biologists study specific subsets of living organisms (e.g., birds, plants, bacteria).
They investigate disease origins and effects on plants and animals.
They examine the functions of living organisms (physiology, biochemistry).
Evolutionary biologists study the evolution of species.
Pharmaceutical scientists discover new drugs.
Genetic engineers utilize genetic engineering.
Cytologists research applications using mother cells.
Zoologists study animals and their behaviors.
Botanists study plants.
Microbiologists, Mycologists, and Pathologists examine microorganisms.
Environmental scientists study global warming.

Application in Conservation of Natural Resources

Natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, animals, and energy, exist independent of human action.
Renewable resources can be produced endlessly (e.g., sunlight, crops, water, trees, livestock, wind).
Non-renewable resources exist in a fixed amount and cannot easily be replaced (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals, nuclear fuels).
Conservation involves preserving natural resources.
Ethiopia is rich in natural resources, which include various minerals (e.g., gold, platinum, potash, limestone) and natural resources, as well as lakes & water falls.
Timber, many crop plants, coffee plantations, diverse animals, and birds form rich ecosystems, representing renewable resources.
Examples of renewable resources in Ethiopia include coffee, Walia Ibex, sunlight, and the Ethiopian Bush crow.
Main sources of renewable resources include agricultural products, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, tidal energy, wave energy, and biofuels.

Non-Renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources are natural substances that are not replaced at the same rate as they are used.
Examples of non-renewable resources include metals (e.g., gold, iron) fossil fuels (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal), and others.
Conservation of non-renewable resources is important given their negative environmental impact (e.g., climate change).

Energy Sources

Energy sources are classified into renewable and non-renewable types.
Renewable energy sources include wind, hydropower, solar, geothermal energy, biomass, etc.
Non-renewable energy sources include oil, coal, nuclear fuels, etc.

Environmental Impacts of Mining

Mining activities can harm natural habitats.
Oil, fuel, and chemical spills can contaminate surrounding environments (soil, rivers, groundwater).
Mining operations can cause air pollution.

Conservation Biology

Conservation biology aims to protect and restore biodiversity.
This field focuses on preserving the diversity of life on Earth.

Food and Nutrition Security

Food security for all people includes achieving physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet diverse needs, at all times.
Availability of food, Accessibility to food, and Affordability of food are all important aspects of food security.
Nutrition security involves individuals having access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, safe water, and adequate sanitation.
Health care services, household, and community practices for preparing and storing food, and hygiene practices.
Prolonged lack of nutrition from poverty can cause stunted growth, slow cognitive development, and increased susceptibility to illness.

Biotechnology Applications

Biotechnology involves applying technologies using living organisms, or their products, for producing goods beneficial to humans.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) incorporate genetic material via recombinant DNA technology.
Transgenic organisms receive genetic material from other species.
A gene from one species introduced into another is called a transgene.
Biotechnology is used in various products like pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, and transgenic plants/animals.

Biomining

Biomining employs microbes to extract minerals, as ore concentrations decrease.
A key example is the bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, which oxidizes sulfur, enabling the release of metals like copper, zinc, lead, and uranium.

Solid Waste Treatment

Solid waste, especially non-biodegradable components (metals, plastics), is often treated in landfills.
Biodegradable components (food waste, textiles) decompose over time, often at varying speeds.
Modern landfills may have systems to manage methane to prevent hazards. - Composting accelerates the decomposition of organic materials, creating humus.

Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment aims to eliminate undesirable substances and microorganisms before water enters natural environments. - Treatment commonly involves physical processes to remove floating debris and sedimentation to reduce biochemical oxygen demand.
Secondary treatment involves microbial decomposition of organic matter in aerobic environments like trickling filters or activated sludge basins, reducing BOD.
Sludge produced can be further processed through anaerobic digestion for biogas generation, water treatment, or soil conditioners.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation utilizes living organisms to detoxify and remove environmental pollutants.
Saprotrophic microbes break down a wide range of substances, including toxic ones (like mercury) with a process called biodegradation.
Bioremediation can convert harmful substances into less harmful substances, using biotransformation.

Biofuels

Biofuels are alternative to fossil fuels, often produced by fermenting plant materials (like corn) or crop residues (e.g. cellulose/hemicellulose).
Biogas production involves anaerobic breakdown of organic waste matter (manure, crops, etc.) by bacteria/archeans to produce methane, valuable as an energy source.
Biofuels/biogas may be used for cooking, lighting, and alternative energy sources.

Composting

Composting utilizes aerobic microorganisms to convert solid organic matter into stable humus, effectively reducing waste bulk, and improving soil conditions though the creation of nutrients.

Cloning

Cloning is a method of producing identical copies of biological materials (genes, cells, or organisms).
Clones are genetically identical organisms or cells resulting from asexual reproduction or man-made cloning techniques.

Biological Warfare

Biological warfare involves using pathogens to harm people, animals, or the environment.
Biological weapons can range from a simple hoax to deadly agents capable of producing widespread devastation.

Applications in Industry

Enzymes—produced by commercially fermenting readily available feedstocks (corn steep liquor, molasses)—are used in various industries, and often produced by non-pathogenic organisms.

Additional Topics

Fermented milk—some are made using organisms like Lactobacillus—and fermented meats are common practices in various societies.
Beer and wine are made by fermenting sugary products using yeast.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the microbiology involved in food fermentation and production. This quiz includes questions about yeast, bacteria, single-cell protein, and their applications in bread-making and fermentation processes. Perfect for students of food science and microbiology.