Immobilised enzymes are sometimes used in bioreactors - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 7 - 2005
Question 7
Immobilised enzymes are sometimes used in bioreactors.
(i) What is a bioreactor?
(ii) State one advantage of using an immobilised enzyme in a bioreactor.
(b) Ans... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Immobilised enzymes are sometimes used in bioreactors - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 7 - 2005
Step 1
What is a bioreactor?
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Answer
A bioreactor is a vessel or container used for the cultivation of microbial or cell cultures, which are involved in biological processes such as fermentation or enzyme reactions. Common examples include fermentation tanks and bioreactor vessels.
Step 2
State one advantage of using an immobilised enzyme in a bioreactor.
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One advantage of using an immobilised enzyme in a bioreactor is that the enzyme can be recovered and reused, thereby reducing overall costs and increasing the efficiency of the reaction process.
Step 3
Name the enzyme that you used.
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The enzyme used in the experiment was yeast.
Step 4
Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus that you used to immobilise the enzyme.
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The apparatus used typically includes a beaker and a syringe. The diagram should show these components appropriately labelled.
Step 5
Describe how you used this apparatus to immobilise the enzyme. In your answer name the solutions that you used and explain their purpose.
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To immobilise the enzyme, sodium alginate was mixed with the yeast to form beads. This mixture was then injected into a calcium chloride solution to create solid beads, effectively trapping the yeast cells. Sodium alginate forms gel beads in the presence of calcium chloride, allowing the enzyme to be retained while allowing substrates to pass through easily.
Step 6
Describe briefly how you used the immobilised enzyme.
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The immobilised enzyme beads were used in a reaction to convert a specific substrate into a product. The reaction was allowed to proceed by mixing the beads with the substrate solution, facilitating efficient conversions while keeping the enzyme contained for multiple uses.
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