Microbes in Human Welfare (VSAQs)
Botany-2 | 14. Microbes In Human Welfare – VSAQs:
Welcome to “VSAQs” in “Chapter 14: Microbes In Human Welfare”. This page covers the most important VSAQs from previous exams. Use these concise answers to strengthen your understanding and get ready to do well in your final exams.
VSAQ-1: Why does ‘Swiss cheese’ have big holes? Name the bacteria responsible for it.
Swiss cheese is famous for its big holes, often called “eyes.” These holes are the result of the carbon dioxide (CO2) gas produced during the cheese-making process. Inside the cheese, bacteria play a crucial role. The specific bacteria responsible for these holes is Propionibacterium freudenreichii subspecies shermanii. During fermentation, these bacteria consume sugars and produce CO2 gas as a byproduct. This gas creates bubbles or pockets in the cheese, which become the distinctive holes we see in Swiss cheese. Imagine blowing air into a balloon – the way the air forms bubbles inside the balloon is similar to how CO2 forms holes in the cheese.
VSAQ-2: What are Fermentors?
Fermentors, also known as bioreactors, are specialized vessels used to grow microorganisms on a large scale for making various products. Think of them as big, controlled environments where tiny organisms like bacteria, yeast, or fungi can thrive. Inside a fermentor, scientists can carefully control things like temperature, pH levels, oxygen, and nutrients to help these microorganisms produce valuable substances. For example, fermentors are used to make beer, antibiotics, enzymes, and even biofuels. It’s like creating a perfect environment in a garden to grow plants, but here, it’s all about growing microorganisms to produce useful products.
VSAQ-3: Name a microbe used for statin production. How do statins lower blood cholesterol levels?
A microbe used for making statins is Monascus purpureus yeast. This yeast helps produce lovastatin, a type of statin medication. Statins work by blocking a crucial enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is essential for making cholesterol in our bodies. By inhibiting this enzyme, statins reduce the production of cholesterol, leading to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Lower cholesterol helps prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Think of it like turning down the volume on a loudspeaker to make things quieter; statins lower cholesterol levels to keep our heart health in check.
VSAQ-4: Why do we prefer to call secondary wastewater treatment biological treatment?
Secondary wastewater treatment is often called biological treatment because it uses microorganisms to clean wastewater. During this stage, bacteria and other microorganisms break down the organic matter in the wastewater. Imagine these microbes as tiny workers who eat up the pollutants and turn them into harmless substances. This process effectively cleans the water before it’s released back into the environment. It’s like using a natural filter that relies on living organisms to clean up our wastewater, making it safer and cleaner.
VSAQ-5: What is Nucleopolyhedrovirus used for nowadays?
Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) are now used as biopesticides in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. These viruses are specific to certain insect pests and act as natural enemies to help control pest populations. By infecting and killing the pests, NPVs provide an environmentally friendly way to manage insect problems, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This approach helps in promoting sustainable farming practices by targeting pests without harming other beneficial organisms. Imagine NPVs as natural pest controllers that work in harmony with the environment to keep pest numbers in check.
VSAQ-6: Write the most important characteristic that Aspergillus niger, Clostridium butylicum, and Lactobacillus share.
Aspergillus niger, Clostridium butylicum, and Lactobacillus are all noteworthy for their ability to produce acids. Each of these microorganisms is specialized in generating a specific type of acid, which is crucial in various industrial processes.
Aspergillus niger is known for producing citric acid, a key ingredient in many foods and beverages that gives them a tart flavor. Think of citric acid as the tangy element in lemon-flavored drinks.
Clostridium butylicum produces butyric acid, which is used in the production of various chemicals and as a preservative. You might find butyric acid in some dairy products or even in certain medications.
Lactobacillus is famous for generating lactic acid, which is essential in making yogurt and sauerkraut. This acid helps preserve the food and gives it a distinct sour taste. Imagine how yogurt has a tangy flavor – that’s the lactic acid at work.
These microorganisms, by producing these acids, are important in creating flavors, preserving food, and even in manufacturing various products.
VSAQ-7: Name any two genetically modified crops.
Bt-cotton and Bt-brinjal are two examples of genetically modified crops.
Bt-cotton has been altered to include a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which helps the cotton plant resist specific insect pests. This is similar to adding a special shield to protect the cotton from bugs.
Bt-brinjal, or Bt eggplant, has also been modified with the Bt gene to make it resistant to insect pests. Just like Bt-cotton, this helps the brinjal plant stay healthy and produce more fruits without being damaged by pests.
These modifications help in growing crops more efficiently and protect them from pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
VSAQ-8: Name any two industrially important enzymes.
Amylase and Lipase are two enzymes that play significant roles in various industries.
Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars. It’s widely used in the food industry, especially in making bread and brewing beer. Imagine how amylase helps turn the starch in flour into sugar, which is essential for the bread to rise.
Lipase works by breaking down fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol. This enzyme is crucial in the production of soaps and detergents, as well as in processing foods like cheese. Think of how lipase helps break down fats in foods, making them easier to digest and process.
These enzymes are valuable in manufacturing processes, making them essential in various sectors, from food production to cleaning products.
VSAQ-9: Name an immune suppressive agent. From where is it obtained?
Cyclosporin A is an example of an immunosuppressive agent. It is obtained from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum.
Cyclosporin A is used to help prevent the rejection of organ transplants and to treat certain autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Think of it as a medicine that helps calm down an overactive immune system, ensuring that transplanted organs are accepted and helping patients with autoimmune conditions.
VSAQ-10: What is the group of bacteria found in both the rumen of cattle and sludge of sewage treatment?
In both the rumen of cattle and the sludge of sewage treatment plants, you can find a group of bacteria known as methanogens. These bacteria are part of the Archaea domain and are remarkable for producing methane gas as a byproduct of their metabolism.
In cattle, methanogens help break down organic materials in the rumen, aiding digestion. In sewage treatment plants, these bacteria help in the anaerobic digestion of waste, breaking down organic matter and producing methane gas, which can be captured and used as an energy source. It’s like having tiny natural recyclers that turn waste into useful gas, both in the digestive systems of cattle and in sewage treatment processes.
VSAQ-11: Name the scientists who were credited for showing the role of penicillin as an antibiotic.
The story of penicillin, one of the most important discoveries in medicine, begins with Alexander Fleming in 1928. Fleming stumbled upon penicillin almost by accident when he noticed that a mold growing in one of his petri dishes was killing bacteria. This mold turned out to be the source of penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic.
However, it was the work of Ernst Boris Chain and Howard Florey in the 1940s that truly brought penicillin into the spotlight as a life-saving antibiotic. They were responsible for purifying and mass-producing penicillin, making it available in large quantities. Their work was crucial during World War II, where penicillin saved countless lives by effectively treating bacterial infections. Imagine a time when infections that were once fatal could now be cured with a simple medication—this was the revolution brought about by their efforts.
VSAQ-12: Give any two microbes that are used in biotechnology.
In biotechnology, certain microbes play vital roles. One such microbe is Escherichia coli (E. coli). This bacterium is often used in the laboratory for producing recombinant proteins and for DNA cloning. For instance, scientists use E. coli to produce insulin for diabetic patients by inserting the gene responsible for insulin production into the bacteria.
Another important microbe is Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which is used to transfer genes into plants. This bacterium has a special ability to transfer genetic material into plants, making it essential for genetic engineering. For example, it helps in creating genetically modified crops that can resist pests or diseases, revolutionizing agriculture.
VSAQ-13: In which food do you find lactic acid bacteria? Name the bacterium.
Lactic acid bacteria are commonly found in milk and dairy products. One of the key bacteria in this process is Lactobacillus. When milk is fermented by Lactobacillus, it produces lactic acid, which helps in turning milk into curd or yogurt. This not only changes the flavor and texture of the milk but also makes the dairy product easier to digest. So, next time you enjoy a bowl of yogurt, remember that Lactobacillus played a crucial role in its creation.
VSAQ-14: Name any two fungi which are used in the production of antibiotics.
Two fungi that are crucial in the production of antibiotics are Penicillium notatum and Penicillium griseofulvum. Penicillium notatum is the fungus responsible for producing penicillin, one of the most famous antibiotics. This discovery has been pivotal in treating bacterial infections.
On the other hand, Penicillium griseofulvum is used to produce griseofulvin, an antibiotic that treats fungal infections of the skin and nails. Both of these fungi are like tiny factories that churn out medicines, making them essential in the field of medicine.
VSAQ-15: How has the discovery of antibiotics helped mankind in the field of medicine?
The discovery of antibiotics has been nothing short of revolutionary in medicine. Before antibiotics, many bacterial infections were often fatal or untreatable. Antibiotics changed that by providing effective treatments for a wide range of bacterial diseases, from pneumonia to tuberculosis.
By drastically reducing the number of deaths caused by infections, antibiotics have significantly improved overall health and life expectancy. They have transformed medicine, allowing for complex surgeries and treatments that would have been too risky without the ability to control bacterial infections. However, it is important to use antibiotics responsibly to avoid the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ensuring that these life-saving drugs remain effective for future generations.