AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The fungus is grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions, and the…
Full specification wording
Role of biotechnology: The fungus is grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions, and the biomass is harvested and purified.
To produce mycoprotein, Fusarium is grown in a fermenter supplied with glucose syrup as a nutrient and energy source.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 6
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
To produce mycoprotein, Fusarium is grown in a fermenter supplied with glucose syrup as a nutrient and energy source. The culture is kept aerobic, meaning oxygen is supplied continuously, because the fungus respires aerobically to release energy for growth and reproduction. Temperature and pH are also controlled so that enzymes work at their optimum and the culture is not damaged. As the fungus grows, it forms a dense biomass. This biomass is then harvested from the fermenter, and purified so that it is safe and suitable to use as food. Purification removes excess water and unwanted materials, leaving the mycoprotein product. The skill is to sequence the process correctly and to explain why each condition is needed.
What earns the marks
- Glucose syrup provides a nutrient and energy source for the fungus.
- Aerobic conditions mean oxygen is supplied so the fungus can respire aerobically.
- Temperature and pH are controlled to maintain optimum enzyme activity and growth.
- The fungal biomass is harvested from the fermenter after growth.
- Purification makes the harvested biomass suitable for use as food.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying the fungus is grown anaerobically.
Put it right: The process is aerobic, so oxygen must be supplied.
Thinking glucose syrup is the final food product.
Put it right: Glucose syrup is the substrate, and the harvested fungal biomass is the product.
Omitting purification; correction: after harvesting, the biomass is purified before it is used as food.
Exam tips
- Write the stages in order: substrate supplied, aerobic growth, harvesting, purification.
- Link aerobic conditions to respiration and energy release for growth.
- Use the word optimum when explaining temperature and pH control.
Try the lesson
The start of the Role of biotechnology: The fungus is grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions, and the biomass is harvested and purified. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A fungus is grown in a large tank to make a useful product. The fungus is grown on glucose syrup with plenty of air supplied. What is the glucose syrup used for?
Listen
To produce mycoprotein, Fusarium is grown in a fermenter supplied with glucose syrup as a nutrient and energy source. The culture is kept aerobic, meaning oxygen is supplied continuously, because the fungus respires aerobically to release energy for growth and reproduction. Temperature and pH are also controlled so that enzymes work at their optimum and the culture is not damaged. As the fungus grows, it forms a dense biomass. This biomass is then harvested from the fermenter, and purified so that it is safe and suitable to use as food. Purification removes excess water and unwanted materials, leaving the mycoprotein product. The skill is to sequence the process correctly and to explain why each condition is needed. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Glucose syrup provides a nutrient and energy source for the fungus. Aerobic conditions mean oxygen is supplied so the fungus can respire aerobically. Temperature and pH are controlled to maintain optimum enzyme activity and growth. The fungal biomass is harvested from the fermenter after growth. A common slip: Saying the fungus is grown anaerobically. Instead, the process is aerobic, so oxygen must be supplied. Exam tip: Write the stages in order: substrate supplied, aerobic growth, harvesting, purification.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Dense fungal biomass forms
- 2. Mycoprotein product suitable for use as food
- 3. Biomass harvested from the fermenter
- 4. Glucose syrup supplied as nutrient and energy source
- 5. Aerobic conditions: oxygen supplied continuously
- 6. Biomass purified
- 7. Temperature and pH controlled
- 8. Fungus respires aerobically to release energy for growth and reproduction
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Aerobic conditions
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Glucose syrup
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Biomass harvesting and purification
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Aerobic conditions
- Oxygen is supplied continuously so the fungus can respire aerobically to release energy for growth and reproduction.
- Glucose syrup
- Supplied to the fungus as a nutrient and energy source.
- Biomass harvesting and purification
- The dense biomass is harvested from the fermenter and purified so that it is safe and suitable to use as food.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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