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Biotechnology

Biotechnology. Problems and Profit with Waste. Mr G Davidson. Problems with Sewage. Our modern way of life produces vast amounts of domestic and industrial waste. Biotechnology is now finding ways of putting some of this waste to good use. Sewage is mostly human body waste.

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Biotechnology

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  1. Biotechnology Problems and Profit with Waste Mr G Davidson

  2. Problems with Sewage • Our modern way of life produces vast amounts of domestic and industrial waste. • Biotechnology is now finding ways of putting some of this waste to good use. • Sewage is mostly human body waste. • Densely populated parts of the country produce large amounts and to reduce the chance of disease, it must be dealt with quickly and safely. G Davidson

  3. Sewage and Health • In the first half of the 19th Century untreated sewage was dumped into rivers which were then used for drinking water and washing. • This often resulted in disease and sometimes death. G Davidson

  4. Untreated Sewage G Davidson

  5. Sewage and Health • The situation improved with the construction of proper sewers and an understanding of micro-organisms. • Even today disease is spread when untreated sewage leaks into public water supplies. • This can happen after floods, earthquakes or with badly designed sewage systems. G Davidson

  6. Sewage Treatment • In developed countries most sewage water is treated before it is reused or released into rivers or the sea. • Sewage water is treated at sewage works. • These vary in size and design but use the same basic process. G Davidson

  7. Sewage Works G Davidson

  8. Sewage Treatment • The main process in the treatment of sewage is its breakdown by the action of decay micro-organisms to products harmless to the environment. • During sewage treatment the oxygen required by the micro-organisms can be provided by compressed air. G Davidson

  9. Sewage Treatment • It is important that oxygen is available to allow the complete breakdown to harmless substances which can be released safely into the environment. • Sewage contains a range of materials requiring particular micro-organisms for their breakdown. G Davidson

  10. Sewage Treatment G Davidson

  11. Working with Microbes • We already know how microbes can help in the manufacture of food and drink. • Also that some microbes cause disease if they enter the bodies of living things. • It is obviously important when working with microbes in the lab to adopt “safe practice”. • This avoids unwanted growth of microbes or disease. G Davidson

  12. Safe Practice • The bench is thoroughly cleaned and hands are washed. • Sterile (very clean) equipment is collected: • Petri dishes with agar food jelly • Plating loop • Culture of bacteria • Bunsen burner G Davidson

  13. Safe Practice • Working close to the hot bunsen flame the loop is heated till red hot then allowed to cool. • A sample of bacteria is collected from the culture bottle. The culture bottle is carefully opened and closed next to the flame. G Davidson

  14. Safe Practice • Working close to the flame the loop is now gently rubbed over the surface of the agar jelly in the dish. • The loop is again heated till red hot and allowed to cool. The dish is sealed, then labelled and placed in an incubator. G Davidson

  15. Bacterial Culture G Davidson

  16. Unwanted Microbes • Contamination is the presence of unwanted, possible harmful microbes. • To prevent contamination all equipment must be clean and sterilised. G Davidson

  17. Microbes and Decay • When a plant or animal dies its tissues decay. • This is mainly due to the actions of microbes. • These microbes use the dead animal or plant material as a food source to obtain energy. G Davidson

  18. Carbon Cycle G Davidson

  19. Nitrogen Cycle G Davidson

  20. Food and Fuel from Waste • Upgrading waste is a way of obtaining useful products such as high quality protein foods and biogas fuel. • These are obtained from unwanted waste materials through the action of micro-organisms. G Davidson

  21. Fuels from Fermentation • There are advantages in using fermentation fuels rather than fossil fuels. G Davidson

  22. Fuels from Fermentation G Davidson

  23. Glucose YEAST Alcohol + Carbon dioxide + Energy Alcohol as Fuel • Fermentation is an energy releasing process. • This is carried out by some microbes in the absence of oxygen. • Alcohol and methane gas are products of fermentation. G Davidson

  24. Single Cell Protein • Most micro-organisms reproduce themselves much faster than the cells of plants and animals. • Industry is able to use fast growing micro-organisms to manufacture food, especially protein. G Davidson

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