Questions and Answers

Describe how fermenters can be used for the large-scale production of useful products by bacteria and fungi, including insulin, penicillin and mycoprotein

Explain the use of lactase to produce lactosefree milk

Investigate and describe the use of biological washing powders that contain enzymes

Describe the use of pectinase in fruit juice production

Describe the role of anaerobic respiration in yeast during bread-making

Describe the role of anaerobic respiration in yeast during the production of ethanol for biofuels

Discuss why bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification, limited to: (a) few ethical concerns over their manipulation and growth (b) the presence of plasmids

State that bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification due to their rapid reproduction rate and their ability to make complex molecules

Explain the risks to a species if its population size decreases, reducing genetic variation (knowledge of genetic drift is not required)

Describe the use of artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in captive breeding programmes