You are a microbiologist working for a pharmaceutical company and discover a new secreted metabolite that can serve as a medication. Your company asks you to oversee the production of the metabolite. Which of the following does NOT need to be considered if you need to grow 5,000 liter cultures of bacteria for the purpose of harvesting the metabolite they secrete?
A) The death rate of the bacteria after stationary phase is complete.
B) The ideal rate of input of new nutrients into the culture to maintain the cells in log phase.
C) The ideal rate of pulling off some of the culture in order to maintain the cells in log phase.
D) The best way to mix the large vat in order to keep nutrient levels, temperature, and oxygen levels constant.
E) The best way to keep the pH of the entire mixture at the ideal level to promote log phase growth.

Question

You are a microbiologist working for a pharmaceutical company and discover a new secreted metabolite that can serve as a medication. Your company asks you to oversee the production of the metabolite. Which of the following does NOT need to be considered if you need to grow 5,000 liter cultures of bacteria for the purpose of harvesting the metabolite they secrete?
A) The death rate of the bacteria after stationary phase is complete.
B) The ideal rate of input of new nutrients into the culture to maintain the cells in log phase.
C) The ideal rate of pulling off some of the culture in order to maintain the cells in log phase.
D) The best way to mix the large vat in order to keep nutrient levels, temperature, and oxygen levels constant.
E) The best way to keep the pH of the entire mixture at the ideal level to promote log phase growth.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The death rate of the bacteria after stationary phase is complete is not important as the metabolite is secreted prior to bacterial cell death.

You Are a Microbiologist Working for a Pharmaceutical Company and Discover