BRAINCAKEControlling Conditions in Fermenters
A fermenter (bioreactor) is a large vessel in which microorganisms are grown under controlled conditions, so that growth and product yield are as high as possible.
Conditions controlled
• Temperature: enzymes work best at an optimum. Too cold slows growth; too hot denatures enzymes. Respiring microorganisms release heat, so a water jacket with cold water circulating removes excess heat. A temperature probe monitors it.
• pH: enzymes have an optimum pH, and waste products (such as CO2 or acids) change the pH. A pH probe monitors it, and acid or alkali (or a buffer) is added to correct it.
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More in Cloning and Biotechnology
- Culturing Microorganisms
- Aseptic Technique
- Serial Dilution
- Standard Growth Curve
- Batch Fermentation
- Continuous Fermentation
- Immobilised Enzymes
- Uses of Immobilised Enzymes
All 21 lessons in Cloning and Biotechnology · All OCR A-level Biology topics