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Food production

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Question 33

The diagram shows an industrial fermenter used to grow microorganisms.

A diagram of an industrial fermenter. The main vessel contains a culture medium with microorganisms. At the top, there is a nutrient inlet, a pH controller connected to an acid/alkali reservoir, and a motor that spins a central shaft equipped with multiple stirring paddles. A cooling jacket surrounds the main body of the vessel, with cold water entering at the bottom and warm water leaving near the top. A pH probe and a temperature sensor project into the vessel contents. At the base of the fermenter, there is a sterile air inlet and an outlet tap for harvesting the product.

a.

Describe the role of the cooling jacket surrounding the fermenter.

[2]
b.

Suggest why high-pressure steam is passed through the fermenter before the culture medium and microorganisms are added.

[1]
c.

Explain how the growth of the microorganisms would be affected if the motor driving the stirring paddles stops working.

[2]

Food production Questions

  1. IGCSE
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  3. /Food production