Practise Role of biotechnology. 11 exam-style questions plus unlimited generated ones on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
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Modern biotechnology techniques allow large quantities of microorganisms to be grown for food. Name the microorganism used to make mycoprotein.
Fusarium
Sample questions
Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.
Question 1Easy4 marks
Modern biotechnology techniques allow large quantities of microorganisms to be grown for food.
(a) Mycoprotein is made from a microorganism. What type of microorganism is used? Tick (✓) one box.[1]
A bacterium
A fungus
A protist
A virus
(b) Name the microorganism used to make mycoprotein.[1]
(c) Why is mycoprotein suitable for vegetarians?[1]
(d) Name one genetically modified crop that provides food with improved nutritional value.[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: A fungus
(b)Answer:Fusarium
Fusarium
(c)
it is a protein-rich food that does not come from animals (it is made from a fungus)
(d)Answer: Golden rice
golden rice
Question 2Medium8 marks
Mycoprotein is produced by growing the fungus Fusarium in large fermenters.
(a) The fungus is grown on glucose syrup. Explain why the fungus needs glucose.[1]
(b) Air is bubbled through the fermenter. Explain why.[2]
(c) The fermenter is sterilised before the fungus is added. Explain why.[2]
(d) The fermenter has a water jacket to cool it. Suggest why cooling is needed.[1]
(e) Describe what happens to the fungus at the end of the process.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)
for respiration, to release energy for growth / as a source of carbon to make new biomass
(b)
to provide oxygen for aerobic respiration (aerobic conditions)
so the fungus releases more energy and grows faster
(c)
to kill any other microorganisms / prevent contamination
which would compete with the fungus for nutrients / could produce toxins / spoil the product
(d)
respiration of the fungus releases heat; cooling keeps the temperature at the optimum for the fungus's enzymes (so they are not denatured)
(e)
the fungal biomass is harvested
and purified (to produce mycoprotein)
Question 3Hard8 marks
The world's human population is growing. Some scientists think that genetically modified (GM) crops are an important way of meeting the demands of the growing population.
(a) Evaluate the use of GM crops as a solution to the demands of a growing human population.[6]
(b) Suggest two advantages of producing mycoprotein rather than meat to feed more people.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)
GM crops can give higher yields, so more food is produced per hectare
they can be made resistant to insect pests or diseases, so less of the crop is lost and less pesticide is needed
they can be made to tolerate drought or poor soils, so food can be grown in more places
they can have improved nutritional value, e.g. golden rice
concern: possible effects on populations of wild flowers and insects / biodiversity
concern: genes may spread to wild relatives, e.g. producing herbicide-resistant weeds
concern: the long-term effects of eating GM food on health are not yet fully known
concern: GM seed may be expensive for poor farmers
other solutions are also needed, e.g. reducing waste, sustainable farming, mycoprotein
a justified conclusion
Marked with levels of response: the full level descriptors are in the app.
(b)
the fungus grows very quickly, so large amounts are produced in a short time
it needs very little land / can be grown in fermenters anywhere
less biomass is lost than when crops are fed to farm animals