MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE

Lactobacillus and other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grow in milk and convert milk into curd. During growth LAB
produce acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins. A small amount of curd added to milk as
innoculum contains million of LAB, which at suitable temp. multiply and then convert milk to curd. It also
increases the nutritional quality by increasing vitamin B12. In our stomach too the LAB plays very beneficial
role in checking disease causing microbes.

The dough which is used for making dosa and idli is also fermented by bacteria. The puffed up appearance of
dough is due to the production of CO2

Bread is fermented using Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

A traditional drink in southern India is made by fermenting sap from palms (coconut milk).

Cheese is one of the oldest items in which microbes were used. Different varieties of cheese are known by
their characteristic texture and flavour and taste, specificity coming from microbes used.

Large holes in Suisse cheese are due to production of large amount of CO2 by a bacterium named
‘Propionibacterium Sharman’ The Roquefort cheese are ripened by growing a specific fungi on them.

Beverages & antiseptics are important industrial products synthesized with the help of microbes. Industrial
scale production require growing microbes in very large vessels called fermentors.

Fermentors Fermentation Plant

2.1 FERMENTED BEVERAGES :

Microbes are used for the production of beverages like wine, beer and rum.
‘Saccharomyces Cerevisiae’ used for bread making commonly called as brewer’s yeast is also used for
fermenting malted cereals and fruit juices to produce ethanol.
Depending on the type of raw material used for fermenting & type of processing, different types of alcoholic
drinks are obtained.
Wine and beer are produced without distillation whereas whisky, brandy & rum are produced by distillation.

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2.2 ANTIBIOTICS – It is one of the most significant discoveries of 2oth century and have greatly contributed
towards the welfare of the human society.
Antibiotics are chemical substances which are produced by some microorganisms and can kill or retard the
growth of other microbes.
Alexander Fleming was working on Staphylococcal bacteria and observed that a mould surrounding
Staphylococcus inhibits its growth. It was due to the chemical produced by the mould and he named it
penicillin after the mould ‘Penicillium Notatum’.
Its full potential as an effective antibiotic was established much latter by ‘Earnest Chain & Howard fluorey’.
This antibiotic was extensively used to treat American soldiers in world war II. Flemming, chain and fluorey
were awarded with the Nobel Prize in 1945 for this discovery.
Antibiotics greatly improved our capacity to treat deadly diseases such as plague, whooping cough (Kali
Khaasi), Diphtheria, Leprosy.
Microbes are used for commercial and industrial production of certain chemical like organic acids, alcohols
and enzymes.

2.3 Acid producing Bacteria Name of Acid

Acetobacter aceti (Bacterium) – Acetic acid
Clostridium Botylicum (Bacterium) – Butyric acid
Lactobacillus (bacterium) – Lactic Acid
2.4 Enzymes -
Lipase - used in detergent formulation & are helpful in removing oily stains from laundry.
Bottled fruit juices brought from market are clearer as compared to those made at home. These juices are
clarified by the use of protease.
Streptokinase produced by the bacterium slereptococcus and modified by genetic engineering is used for
removing clots from the blood vessels of the patient suffering from Myocardial Infarction leading to
heart attack.

Cyclosporin A – used as an immunosuppressive agent, in organ transplantation.

Statins – Produced by yeast ‘Monascus purpureus’ have been commercially used as blood cholesterol
lowering agent, they acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the formation of cholesterol.

Large amount of waste is generated every day in cities and towns. Major component of this waste is human
excreta. This municipal waste is also called sewage. It contains large amount of organic matter & microbes
many of which are pathogenic. Before disposal of this sewage into natural water bodies it is treated in
sewage treatment plants (STP/s) to make it less polluted. This treatment is carried out in two stages –
4.1 Primary treatment – The treatment steps basically involve physical removal of large and small particles
from sewage through filtration & sedimentation. Initially flouting debris is removed by sequential filtration then
the guir (soil & small pebbles) are removed by sedimentation. All the solids that settle form the primary
sludge & the supernatants form the effluents. The effluent from the primary setting tank is taken for secondary
treatment.
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4.2 Secondary (Biological) treatment – The primary effluent passes into a large aeration tank where it is
constantly agitated mechanically & air is pumped into it.

Secondary treatment
Which allows vigorous growth of useful aerobic microbes into flows (Masses of bacteria associated with
fungal filament to form a mesh like structure). While growing these microbes consume the major part of the
organic matter in the effulent. This significantly reduced the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) of the
effulent. BOD refers to the amount of oxygen that would be consumed if all the organic matter in 1
litre of water were oxidised by bacteria.
The sewage water is treated till BOD is reduced. The BOD test measures the rate of uptake of oxygen by
microorganisms in a sample of water and thus indirectly BOD is the measure of organic matter present in
water. The greater BOD of waste water, more is its polluting potential.
When BOD of waste water is reduced significantly, the effulent then is passed into a settling tank where
sedimentation occurs and these sediment are called as activated sludge. A small part of this sludge is
pumped back into the aeration tank to serve as the inoculums.
The remaining part of the sludge & effluents are pumped into large tank called the anaerobic sludge digestors.
Here anaerobic bacteria digest the harmful bacteria & fungi in the sludge. During this digestion bacteria
produce a mixture of gases CH4, H2S, CO2.

These gases form the biogas and can be used as a source of energy.
Due to increasing urbanization, sewage is being produced in much larger quantities than ever before, How-
ever the no. of STP’s has not increased enough to treat such large quantities. The untreated sewage is often
discharged directly into rivers leading to their pollution and increase in water borne diseases.

An aerial view of a sewage plant

The Ministry of environment & Forest has initiated Ganga Action plan & Yamuna Action Plan to save from pollution.

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 Biogas or marsh gas / gobar gas is produced by the process known as methanogenesis.

It was discovered by volta in 1776 who demonstrated the presence of methane in marsh gas.

Microbes produce different types of gaseous end products during growth & metabolism. The type of gas
produced depends upon the microbes and the organic substrate they utilize. Biogas is produced naturally in
several microbial ecosystems such as organic sediments of aquatic systems, marshes, soil, large intestine
of herbivores.

Formation of biogas involves large no. of bacteria which convert 90% of combustible energy of degraded
organic matter, in CH4 & CO2.

Bio gas is highly economic, easily accessible, made up of CO2, CH4, hydrogen, N2 & O2.
Presence of CO2 interferes with its complete combustion resulting in higher carbon deposits, CO2 can be
removed by passing through lime.
CH4 can also be produced by the activity of organisms e.g. Methanobacterium formicicum &
Methanospurillum humgati.

5.1 Factors Effecting Gas Production are –

1) temp (30 – 40°C)
2) PH (6.6 – 7.5)
3) Agitation which produces fermentation, increases rate of production.
4) Biogas production carried out in water tight digestor with inlet for substrate. Gas formed is collected in
an air-light container.
Biogas in its crude form can be used for cooking, lightning, to power engines, generation of electricity.
Anaerobic fermentation of sugar beet produces biogas. However certain bacteria which grow anaerobically
produce large amount of CH4 along with CO2 & H2. These bacteria collectively called as methanogens.
They are commonly found in anaerobic sludge digestors during sewage treatment.
They are also found in Lumen of cattle where these bacteria help in the breakdown of cellulose and play an
important role in the nutrition of cattle. Thus the excreta of cattle commonly called as ‘gobar’ is rich in these
bacteria.
Biogas plant consists of a concrete tank (10-15 ft) deep in which biogas is collected and slurry of dung is fed.
A floating cover is placed over the slurry which keeps on rising as the gas produced in the tank increases.
The biogas plant has an outlet which is connected to a pipe to supply biogas to nearby houses.

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 A typical biogas plant
The spent of slurry is removed through another outlet & mainly used as a fertilizer.
Cattle dung is available in rural areas in large quantities where cattle are used for variety of purposes.
The technology of biogas production in India was developed mainly due to the efforts of Indian Agricultural
Research Institute (IARI) and Khadi Village Industrial Commission (KVIC).

5.2 Production of biogas from domestic & agricultural waste takes place in 3 steps –
(i) Solublisation and hydrolysis of organic components – The facultative anaerobic microorganisms break
down the organic polymers with the help of enzymatic hydrolysis, i.e. cellulose & proteins are converted
into propionate, fatty acids, ethanol etc. They serve as substrate for 2nd step. The bacteria involved are
clostridium Bacterioides, Rumenococcus, E-coli, Bacillus species etc. The first step yields a re-
sidual sludge. Which can be used as fertilizer.
(ii) Acidogenesis – Acidogenic bacteria convert the monomers produced by the first step into organic acids
such as acetic acids & gases – CO2, H2, NH3.
(iii) Methanogenesis – Methenogenic bacteria convert the organic acids into CH 4 (60%) and CO2 (40%).
Methanogenic bacteria are Methanobacterium species, Methabobacillus, Methanosarcina,
Methanococcus, etc.

Advantages of biogas
Can be easily stored and is a more efficient source of energy.
This source of energy has wider use.

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IPM promotes minimized pesticide use, enhance environmental protection & sustainable systems. This is
achieved by protection of commodities with environmentally and economically sounds practices, and result
in abundant supply of food and food products. There are 6 steps in the process of decision making in IPM –
1) Identify the problem/pest
2) Determine the severity of the problem
3) Assess the management options
4) Select & apply an option
5) Assess the success
6) Record the result
eg of biopesticides –
6.1 Microbial active ingredients –
1. Bacteria Agrobacterium
Radiobacter
Bacillus cereus
Bacillus subtilis
Pseudomonas qureofaciens

2. Viruses Nucleopoly hydrolysis virus

Controls ‘Angrapha falcifera’ (insect), Douglas fir (insect), gypsy moth, Helicoverpa zea.
3. Non viable microbial pesticides -
Bacillus thuringiensis releases ‘delta endotoxin’ in killed pseudomonas fluorescens.
4. Miscellaneous microbial pesticides -
Nosema locustae (Grasshopper pathogen)

Insects are among the most successful organism on the planet. Some insects are helpful ladybeetles &
dragonflies feed on ‘aphids’ and mosquitoes which damage fruit trees, greenhouse plants, crops etc.
Other insects are harmful transmitting diseases to humans, animals & plants.
Farmers have always looked for new & batter ways to control insect pests.
Manmade insecticides have some disadvantages. Most contain powerful toxic chemicals which can kill
people if not handled properly, many are not readily biodegradable. In addition, chemical insecticides are
often not species specific. They kill all insects in the area even the beneficial ones. Finally because insects
are very adaptable & reproduce quickly, they develop resistance to man made insecticide.
7.1 Bio insecticides have advantages
Its more difficult for insect to develop resistance.
They are very specific often effecting a single species of insect.
They are also safer as they leave little harmful residues and don’t harm people, animals & friendly insects.
In recent years researchers have developed several kinds of bio insecticides based on viruses, fungi &
bacteria. e.g.
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1) Bacillus thuringienesis – One of the most widely used bio insecticide
It’s a naturally occurring soil bacteria also called Bt that produce a protein Which is poisonous to insect.
Often within 15 min of being eaten, the poison create ulcers in insect’s stomach lining. The insect stops
eating and eventually dies. 500 – 60 strains or types of Bt have been identified. Bt is very selective. It effects
only specific species of insects pests & doesn’t harm, humans, birds, fishes & beneficial insects.
They are available in sachets as dry spores which are mixed with water and are sprayed onto vulnerable
plants. Because of genetic engineering, scientists have introduced Bt toxin genes, (resistant to the attack
by insect pests) in some plant.
Bt cotton is one such example.
2) Fungi based bio insecticide – One of the earliest to be discovered is Bb (Beauveria bassiana), a
fungus found world wide in soils & plants. Bio – insecticides based on Bb have advantage that its spores can
withstand long period of droughtness & other harsh environmental conditions. The fungus doesn’t harm
plants.
3) Virus bio insecticide – A group of virus based insecticides are Baculoviruses (Bacullo means rod
shaped). Baculoviruses affect insect pests like corn borers, potato beetles and aphids.
Majority of Baculoviruses used as biocontrol agents are in the genus Nucleopoly hydrolysis virus. These
viruses are excellent candidates for species specific narrow spectrum insecticidal application. They don’t
harm animal, birds & non targeted insects.
Baculovirus & grasshoppers – One bio insecticide that researchers hope to use on grasshoppers is
‘Entomopex’. This virus dramatically affects the rate of grasshoppers development and the amount it eat
and used to reduce its population to manageable levels.
4) Bioherbicides – The weed eating insects and microorganisms form bioherbicides.
i) Only those organisms are used which feed selectively on weeds and not on crops. E.g. Cochinal
insect (Cactoblastis cactorum)
ii) Phytophthora palmivora – A fungus control the growth of milk seed wines in citrus plantation.
iii) Chrysolina beetles – Control ‘Kalmath’ weed in USA.
iv) Zygogranlye bicolorata is a beetle – destroys Parthenium hydterophonus.
v) Smoother crops like sunflower, barley, alpha – alpha, rye, sleyallan, sorghum, sweet clover etc if
grown in rotation protects from weeds.
vi) Devine & college are fungus spores used as sprays.
vii) Transgenic plants have genes of pests resistance. e.g. tomato, tobacco
viii) “Sercospora rodmanii” – is a fungus used to control water hyacinth.

Wild Type Bacteria Crop Innoculated Usage

1. Anaebaena Rice Bio Fertilisers
(Azola leaves)
2. Azospirullom Maize Bio Fertilisers
3. A. lipoferum Cereals Bio Fertilisers
5. Rhizobium species Forage & grain legumes Bio Fertilisers
6. Frankia species Non – leguminous trees (Alnus) Bio Fertilisers
8. Pseudomonas fluorescens Different crops Bio pesticides

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Type (I) : Very Short Answer Type Questions : [01 Mark Each]
1. What is the first bioinsecticide developed on commercial scale ?
Type (II) : Short Answer Type Questions : [02 Marks Each]
2. What are LAB
Type (III) : Long Answer Type Questions: [03 Marks Each]
3. What is BOD ? What does it indicate if a water sample has more BOD ?
Type (IV) : Very Long Answer Type Questions: [05 Marks Each]
4. How are antibiotics produced ? What is their importance?

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. Agricultural chemicals include
(1) Pesticides (2) Fertilizers (3) Growth regulaors (4) All of these
2. Biofertilazers include
(1) Nitrogen fixing bacteria (2) Nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria
(3) Both bacteria and cyanobacteria (4) Bacteria, cyanobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi
3. Most famous nitrogen fixing bacterium/biofertilizer is
(1) Nitrobacter (2) Nitrosomonas (3) Nitrococcus (4) Rhizobium
4. BT cotton is resistant to
(1) Insect (2) Herbicides (3) Salt (4) Drough
5. IPM (Integrated Pest Management) involves
(1) Biological control (2) Pesticides (3) Confusion technique (4) Biofertilizers
6. Which one is green manure/biofertilizer
(1) Sesbania (2) Miaze (3) Rice (4) Oat
7. Enzyme required for nitrogen fixation is
(1) Nitrogenase (2) Nitroreductase (3) Transaminase (4) Transferase
8. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at suitable temperature converts milk to curd, which improves its nutritional
quality by enhancing vitamin
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
9. Curding of milk takes place by
(1) Streptococcus lactis (2) Streptococcus thermophilus
(2) Lactobacillus lactis (4) All the above
10. Choose incorrect statement.
(1) Penicillin antibiotic extensively used to treat american soldiers wounded in world war II
(2) Lipase are used in detergent formation and are helpful in removing oilystains from the laundry.
(3) Remaining major part of the sluge is pumped into larger tanks called anaerobic sludge digestors.
(4) Methanogens bacteria are commonly found in the aerobic slugde during sewage treatment.
11. Choose incorrect statement.
(1) Microbes like bacteria & many fungi cultures are usefuls in studies on micro-organism.
(2) During growth, the LAB produce acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins.
(3) Roquefort cheese are ripened by growing a specific fungi on them, which gives them a particular flavour.
(4) Wine & beer are produced by distillation of fermented broth.
NEET - MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE # 79
12. Match the following list of bioactive substances and their roles:
Bioactive Substance Role
(i) Statin (a) Removal of oil stains
(ii) Cyclosporin A (b) Removal of clots from blood vessels
(iii) Streptokinase (c) Lowering of blood cholesterol
(iv) Lipase (d) Immuno-suppressive agent
Choose the correct match:
(1) i b, ii c, iii a, iv d (2) i d, ii b, iii a, iv c
(3) i d, iia, iii d, iv c (4) i c, ii d, iii b, iv a
13. The technology of biogas production from cow dung was developed in India largely due to the efforts of:
(1) Gas Authority of India
(2) Oil and Natural Gas Commission
(3) Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Khadi & Village
Industries Commission
(4) Indian Oil Corporation.

PART - II : OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. Match the disease and the pathogen : [3rd NSO II L]
List I List II
(A) Ergot of rye (i) Plasmopara viticola
(B) Damping-off disease (ii) Phytophthora infestance
(C) Late blight of potato (iii) Pythium debaryanum
(D) Downy mildew of grapes (iv) Claviceps purpurea
(1) (A) - (iii) , (B) - (ii) ,(C) - (iv) , (D) - (i)
(2) (A) - (iv) , (B) - (i) ,(C) - (iii) , (D) - (ii)
(3) (A) - (iv) , (B) - (iii) ,(C) - (ii) , (D) - (i)
(4) (A) - (ii) , (B) - (iii) ,(C) - (i) , (D) - (iv)
2. Match list - I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists :
List - I List - II [2nd NSO I L]
(A) Ficus bengalensis (i) fibre
(B) Melia azadirachta (ii) pesticide
(C) Cocos nucifera (iii) latex
(D) Hevea brasiliensis
(1) (A) - (i) , (B) - (ii) ,(C) - (iii) , (D) - (ii) (2) (A) - (iii) , (B) - (i) ,(C) - (ii) , (D) - (iii)
(3) (A) - (iii) , (B) - (iii) ,(C) - (i) , (D) - (ii) (4) (A) - (iii) , (B) - (ii) ,(C) - (i) , (D) - (iii)
3. The function of nitrogen fixation in Anabaena (cyanobacterium) is performed by : [1st NSEB]
(1) thylakoid (2) heterocyst (3) phycocyanin (4) phycoerythrin
4. Farmers need to apply less nitrogenous fertilizers to fields if one of these plants are present : [FINBO]
(1) Rhodophyceae (2) Spirogyra (3) Azolla spp. (4) Weeds

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 AIIMS CORNER
ASSERTION / REASONING
In each of the following questions a statement of Assertion (A) is given followed by a correspond-
ing staterment of Reason (R) just below it. Of the statements, mark the correct answer as
(1) If both assertion and resaon are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
(2) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
(3) If assertion is true but reason is false
(4) If both assertion and reason are false
1. Assertion : Yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae are used in baking industry.
Reason : Carbon dioxide produced during fermentation causes bread dough to rise by thermal expansion.
[AIIMS 2003]
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2. Assertion : Enzymes application in industry is enhanced by its immobilization.
Reason : Immobilization provides protection to enzymes without affecting their activity.
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3. Assertion : Bioenergy is the energy available from biological sources.
Reason : Fossil fuels are examples of bioenergy.
(1) (2) (3) (4)

PART-I
LEVEL-1 : QUESTIONS OF PREVIOUS YEAR OF AIPMT
1. Which of the following is not used as a biopesticide [AIPMT 2009]
(1) Bacillus thuringiensis (2) Trichoderma harzianum
(3) Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) (4) Xanthomonas compestris
2. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is widely used in contemporary biology as
[DPMT 2006 ; WB JEE 2008 , AIPMT 2009]
(1) Indicator of water pollution (2) Insecticide
(3) Agent for production of dairy products (4) Source of industrial enzyme
3. The common nitrogen-fixer in paddy fields is [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Azospirillum (2) Oscillatoria (3) Frankia (4) Rhizobium
4. One of the free-living anaerobic nitrogen-fixer is [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Rhodospirillum (2) Rhizobium (3) Azotobacter (4) Beijernickia
5. The biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and decomposers is called [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Secondary productivity (2) Standing crop
(3) Gross primary productivity (4) Net primary productivity
6. Select the correct statement from the following [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Methanobaeterium is aerobic bacterium found in rumen of cattle
(2) Biogas, commonly called gobar gas, is pure methane
(3) Activated sludge-sediment in settlement tanks of sewage treatment plant is a rich source of aearobic
bacteria
(4) Biogas is produced by the activity of aerobic bacteria on animal waste

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7. dB is a standard abbreviation used for the quantitative expression of [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) A particular pollutant (2) The dominant Bacillus in a culture
(3) A certain pesticide (4) The density of bacteria in a medium
8. Stirred-tank bioreactors have been designed for [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Purification of the product (2) Ensuring anaerobic conditions in the culture vessel
(3) Availability of oxygen thronghout the process (4) Addition of preservatives to the product
9. A common biocontrol agent for the control of plant disease is [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Bacillus thruingiensis (2) Glomus (3) Trichoderma (4) Baculovirus
10. Which one of the following is not used in organic farming [AIPMT - 2010]
(1) Earthworm (2) Oscillatoria (3) Snail (4) Glomus
11. Which one of the following is a wrong matching of a microbe and its industrial product, while the remaining
three are correct ? [AIPMT - 2011]
(1) Yeast - statins (2) Acetobacter aceti - acetic
(3) Clostridium butylicum - lactic acid (4) Aspergillus niger - citric acid
12. Consider the following statements (A-D) about organic farming: [AIPMT - 2011]
(A) Utilizes genetically modified crops like Bt cotton
(B) Uses only naturally produced inputs like compost
(C) Does not use pesticides and urea
(D) Produces vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals
Which of the above statements are correct?
(1) (B), (C) and (D) (2) (C) and (D) only
(3) (B) and (C) only (4) (A) and (B) only
13. Bacillus thuringiensis forms protein crystals which contain insecticidal protein. [AIPMT - 2011]
(1) Binds with epithelial cells of midgut of the insect pest ultimately killing it
(2) is coded by several genes including the gene cry
(3) is activated by acid pH of the foregut of the insect pest.
(4) does not kill the carrier bacterium which is itself resistant to this toxin
14. In gobar gas, the maximum amount is that of : [AIPMT Main - 2012]
(1) Butane (2) Methane (3) Propane (4) Carbon dioxide
15. The domestic sewage in large cities : [AIPMT Main - 2012]
(1) has a high BOD as it contains both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
(2) is processed by aerobic and then anaerobic bacteria in the secondary treatment in Sewage Treat-
ment Plants (STPs)
(3) When treated in STPs does not really require the aeration step as the sewage contains adequate
oxygen.
(4) has very high amounts of suspended solids and dissolved salts

LEVEL-2 : QUESTIONS OF PREVIOUS YEAR OF COMPETITIVE EXAMS

16. Broad spectrum antibiotic is that which [AMU 1985]
(1) Acts on both pathogens and hosts (2) Acts on all bacteria and niruses
(3) Acts on a variety of pathogenic micro-organisms (4) Is effective in very small amounts
17. Antibiotics inhibit the growth of or destroy [Bihar MDAT 1988]
(1) Bacteria and fungi (2) Bacteria and viruses
(3) Bacteria, algae and viruses (4) Bacteria, fungi and viruses
18. Biogas can be a good substitute for [BHU 2000]
(1) Fuel wood (2) Petroleum and oil (3) Coal (4) Charcoal
19. Biogas is a mixture of [MHCET 2002]
(1) CO + H2 + CO2 (2) CH4 + CO + CO2 (3) CH4 + CO2 + H2 (4) CO + CO2 + NO2

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20. Sir Alexander Flemming extracted penicillin from [MP PMT 1993]
(1) Penicillum citrinum (2) Penicillum notatum
(3) Penicillium chrysogenum (4) Bacillus brevis
21. Important objective of biotechnology in agriculture section is [MP PMT 1998]
(1) To produce pest resistant varieties of plant (2) To increase the nitrogen content
(3) To decrease the seed number (4) To increase the plant weight
22. Penicillin was discovered by [CBSE PMT 1988, Pb PMT 2004 ; Orisa JEE 2005]
(1) Waksman (2) Dubois (3) Roberk koch (4) A. Flemming
23. Saccharomyces is commonly used in the production of [MP PMT 2006]
(1) Ethyl alcohol (2) Curd (3) Citric acid (4) Acetic acid

PART-II : CBSE PROBLEMS OF PREVIOUS YEARS

SECTION - A (1 Marks each)
1. Mention the information that the health workers derive by measuring BOD of a water body. (2010)
SECTION - C (3 Marks Each)
2. Mention the product and its use produced by each of the microbes listed below: (2010)
(i) Streptococcus
(ii) Lactobacillus
(iii) Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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 BOARD LEVEL EXERCISE : HINT & SOLUTIONS
Type (I) : Very Short Answer Type Questions : [01 Mark Each]
1. Sporeine
Type (II) : Short Answer Type Questions : [02 Marks Each]
2. The microorganisms which commonly grow in milk and convert it into curd are called lactic acid bacteria of
LAB.
Type (III) : Long Answer Type Questions: [03 Marks Each]
3. BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) of the effulent. BOD refers to the amount of oxygen that would be
consumed if all the organic matter in 1 litre of water were oxidised by bacteria.
The sewage water is treated till BOD is reduced. The BOD test measures the rate of uptake of oxygen by
microorganisms in a sample of water and thus indirectly BOD is the measure of organic matter present in
water. The greater BOD of waste water, more is its polluting potential.
When BOD of waste water is reduced significantly, the effulent then is passed into a settling tank where
sedimentation occurs and these sediment are called as activated sludge. A small part of this sludge is
pumped back into the aeration tank to serve as the inoculums.

Type (IV) : Very Long Answer Type Questions: [05 Marks Each]
4. ANTIBIOTICS – It is one of the most significant discoveries of 2oth century and have greatly contributed
towards the welfare of the human society.
Antibiotics are chemical substances which are produced by some microorganisms and can kill or retard the
growth of other microbes.
Alexander Fleming was working on Staphylococcal bacteria and observed that a mould surrounding
Staphylococcus inhibits its growth. It was due to the chemical produced by the mould and he named it
penicillin after the mould ‘Penicillium Notatum’.
Its full potential as an effective antibiotic was established much latter by ‘Earnest Chain & Howard fluorey’.
This antibiotic was extensively used to treat American soldiers in world war II. Flemming, chain and fluorey
were awarded with the Nobel Prize in 1945 for this discovery.
Antibiotics greatly improved our capacity to treat deadly diseases such as plague, whooping cough (Kali
Khaasi), Diphtheria, Leprosy.
Microbes are used for commercial and industrial production of certain chemical like organic acids, alcohols
and enzymes.

EXERCISE - 1
1. (4) 2. (4) 3. (4) 4. (1) 5. (1) 6. (1)
7. (1) 8. (2) 9. (4) 10. (4) 11. (4) 12. (4)
13. (3)
EXERCISE - 2
1. (3) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (3)

EXERCISE - 3
1. (1) 2. (1) 3. (3)

NEET - MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE # 84

 EXERCISE - 4
Part -I
1. (4) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (3) 5. (4) 6. (3)
7. (1) 8. (3) 9. (3) 10. (3) 11. (3) 12. (3)
13. (1) 14. (2) 15. (2) 16. (3) 17. (1) 18. (1)
19. (3) 20. (2) 21. (1) 22. (4) 23. (1)

Part -II
BOARD EXERCISE : HINT & SOLUTIONS
1. A measure of organic waste matter present in the water, greater the BOD more is its polluting potential
2. (i) Streptokinase, clotbuster / dissolves clot from blood vessels
(ii) Lactic acid , coagulates milk/partial digestion of milk proteins
(iii) Ethyl alcohol + CO2 , ferments dough to make bread / idli

NEET - MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE # 85