Biology

Microorganisms in Food Production

1,120 Questions

Microorganisms play a vital role in food production through processes like fermentation and bioprocessing. Questions on this topic cover the use of yeast, bacteria, and industrial microbiology. These concepts are important for science sections in various competitive exams.

Alcoholic fermentationDairy beverage productionIndustrial ethanol preparationCitric acid productionBiodigester temperature

Microorganisms in Food Production Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a function of E. coli?

  1. Production of human insulin

  2. Scavenging of oil spills

  3. Production of human growth factor interferons

  4. Production of interleukin

  5. Making of SPP (single protein production)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Pseudomonas putida is used for this purpose.

Multiple choice

Milk has a sweet taste of its own due to a certain sugar present in it, whereas curd prepared from milk is sour. This change involves the conversion of

  1. sucrose into succinic acid

  2. glucose into glutamine

  3. fructose into fumaric acid

  4. lactose into lactic acid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The fermentation of milk into curd is caused by Lactobacillus bacteria. These bacteria convert the milk sugar (lactose) into lactic acid, which gives curd its characteristic sour taste and causes the milk proteins to coagulate.

Multiple choice

Fermentation of sugar by yeasts produces ______ and carbon dioxide.

  1. methyl alcohol

  2. ethyl alcohol

  3. ethane

  4. methane
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

During anaerobic respiration, yeast cells convert sugars into ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and carbon dioxide. This process is known as alcoholic fermentation. Methyl alcohol is toxic and is not the product of standard yeast fermentation.

Multiple choice

________ are synthesized by Aspergillus, Penicillium, while yeasts are used to prepare proteins.

  1. Fats

  2. Minerals

  3. Carbohydrates

  4. Acids
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Certain species of Aspergillus and Penicillium are utilized in industrial microbiology to produce microbial fats or lipids. Conversely, yeasts are frequently cultivated as a source of single-cell protein (SCP). This distinction highlights the diverse industrial applications of different fungi.

Multiple choice

_______ contains vitamins of the B group, E group and 15% proteins. It is a useful cure for many vitamin deficiency diseases.

  1. Mushroom

  2. Food yeast

  3. Mycelial fungi

  4. Mold
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Food yeast, such as nutritional yeast, is an excellent source of B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, and high-quality proteins. Because of its nutrient density, it is often used as a supplement to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency diseases. Mushrooms also contain vitamins but are not typically the primary source for this specific industrial description.

Multiple choice

If a paste of rice or wheat flour is left overnight in the kitchen, its volume increases significantly because of _______.

  1. The aromatic air of the kitchen

  2. Bacterial growth

  3. Swelling of starch particles in the flour due to absorption of water and air

  4. The release of carbon dioxide due to the activity of yeast
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The fermentation process carried out by yeast releases carbon dioxide gas. This gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise and increase in volume.

Multiple choice

Which of the following activities is not performed by microorganisms?

  1. Decomposition of dead and waste materials

  2. Preparation of medicines, vaccines, etc.

  3. Decomposition of plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic toys, etc.

  4. Preparation of breads, pastries, cakes, wines and alcohol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Microorganisms decompose dead organic matter. These are used in the preparation of medicines and also in the baking industry. Plastic goods are non-biodegradable and cannot be acted upon by microorganisms.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is false about single cell protein?

  1. Single cell protein refers to the mass culture of certain algae, bacteria, yeasts, moulds etc.

  2. Scp is also produced using carbohydrates as raw materials.

  3. SCP is also produced via paper industry waste.

  4. Spirullina a cyanobacterium offers excellent prospects for low technology SCP production.

  5. Paraffins and sulphide liquor cannot be used as raw materials for the production of SCP.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

These can be used as raw materials for the SCP production.