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Industrious Microbes

This biology extension module from the Salters’ Science course reviews the history of biotechnology to introduce the use of microbes in large-scale industrial biochemistry. Student ideas about positive uses of microbes are reviewed. Students monitor the growth of single-celled organisms in fermenters to produce protein. Advantages and disadvantages of using biotechnology to produce protein in human and/or animal foods are discussed.

Students revise ideas about enzymes from other modules in the course (Keeping Healthy, Food for thought and Staying alive). They explore how enzymes are produced and used in industry.

Moral and ethical issues related to genetic engineering are considered.

Section 1: Fermenters
The history of biotechnology to introduce the use of microbes in large-scale industrial biochemistry. Student ideas about positive uses of microbes are reviewed. Students monitor the growth of single-celled organisms in fermenters to produce protein. Advantages and disadvantages of using biotechnology to produce protein in human and/or animal foods are discussed.

Section 2: Making Enzymes work for us
Students revise ideas about enzymes from other modules in the course (Keeping healthy, Food for thought and Staying alive). They explore how enzymes are produced and used in industry.

Section 3: Genetic engineering
Moral and ethical issues related to genetic engineering are considered.

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