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Learner Resource 5 –
Biotechnology question sheet
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
C
D
Log
number
of
bacteria
B
A
Time
(a)
(i)
Describe and explain the graph showing the standard growth curve of a microorganism in
a closed culture.
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(ii)
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[4]
Draw and label a line on the graph to show how the concentration of a primary metabolite
would change in the culture over time, and draw and label a second line to show how the
concentration of a secondary metabolite would change.
[2]
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(b)
(i)
Large quantities of insulin are required for the management of diabetes.
Insulin used to be purified from the pancreas of animals farmed for food. Human insulin is
now produced using genetically modified bacteria.
Suggest the advantages of using biotechnology to produce human insulin rather than
using animals.
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[3]
(ii)
Name one other biotechnological product that is made using microbes.
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[1]
(iii)
Insulin is produced in a batch culture. Other products are produced using continuous
culture.
Discuss the reasons for using each of the two methods of production.
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[2]
(c)
(i)
High fructose corn syrups are produced using immobilised glucose isomerase enzyme.
State two advantages of immobilising enzymes.
1 ................................................................................................................................
[2]
2 ................................................................................................................................
(ii)
Fructose and glucose are both monosaccharides with the formula C 6H12O6. Suggest what
the action of glucose isomerase is.
[1]
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[Total: 15]
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OCR past exam questions on this topic can be found at:
F215 June 2010 Q.1 (making cheese)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/61493-question-paper-unit-f215-control-genomes-andenvironment.pdf
F215 January 2011 Q.4 (making penicillin)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/65359-question-paper-unit-f215-control-genomes-andenvironment.pdf
F215 June 2012 Q.4 (biotechnology extended response question)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/131283-question-paper-unit-f215-control-genomes-andenvironment.pdf
F215 January 2013 Q.6 (standard growth curve, primary and secondary metabolites)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/144757-question-paper-unit-f215-01-control-genomes-andenvironment.pdf
F215 June 2013 Q.1 (immobilising enzymes)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/175437-question-paper-unit-f215-01-control-genomes-andenvironment.pdf
F215 June 2014 Q.5 (making beer)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/243451-question-paper-unit-f215-01-control-genomes-andenvironment.pdf
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Answer guide
(a)
(i)
A – population size increases slowly because there is only a small number of cells dividing and
the microorganisms have to make enzymes before they can reproduce
4
B – rapid increase in population size because nutrients are available and a large number of
cells doubles at regular intervals 
C- population size remains the same because the number of microorganisms dying equals the
number being reproduced by binary fission 
lack of nutrients may be limiting reproduction 
build-up of toxic waste products may be killing cells 
D – population size decreases due to lack of nutrients and a build-up of toxic waste products 
death rate is now greater than reproductive rate 
(ii)
1o metabolite - concentration rises steeply during stage B 
2
2o metabolite – concentration does not rise significantly until stages C and D 
(b)
(i)
cheaper than purifying from animal pancreas 
3
quicker to use bacteria as opposed to animals 
more efficient method to produce large quantities of identical product 
Insulin from animals was not the same as human insulin and could cause allergic reactions 
(ii)
allow any sensible answer e.g. ethanol, carbon dioxide, citric acid, lactic acid, methane,
penicillin, antibiotics 
1
(iii)
batch triggers production of secondary metabolites 
traceable batches aids identification of issue(s) / only one batch affected / recall of one batch
does not affect whole production line 
2
continuous –
maximises product production / product can be harvested regularly 
don’t have to clean and restock fermenter / equipment 
(c)
(i)
immobilised enzymes are more stable / less susceptible to having their activity reduced by pH
and temperature change 
downstream processing is easier 
the enzymes can be recovered and used again 
2
(ii)
changes the shape or bonding within the sugar molecule 
forming a different isomer of hexose 
1
Total
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