BRAINCAKEMicroorganisms in Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the use of living organisms, or parts of them such as enzymes, to make products or carry out processes useful to humans. Microorganisms (bacteria and fungi such as yeasts and moulds) are the organisms used most often.
Why microorganisms are used
• They reproduce very quickly, some bacteria dividing every 20 minutes, so a large mass of cells is made in a short time.
• They can often be grown on cheap nutrients, including waste products from other industries.
• They grow at relatively low temperatures, so less energy is needed than for many chemical processes.
• They can be grown anywhere in the world, independent of climate or season.
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More in Cloning and Biotechnology
- Natural Clones in Animals
- Artificial Twinning
- Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
- Pros and Cons of Animal Cloning
- Microorganisms in Food Production
- Microorganisms in Medicine and Bioremediation
- Culturing Microorganisms
- Aseptic Technique
All 21 lessons in Cloning and Biotechnology · All OCR A-level Biology topics