A specific enzyme can be used in in industrial food processing to clean food res

Question

A specific enzyme can be used in in industrial food processing to clean food residues from machinery. This process works best at pH 3 and 180 degrees F. A researcher decides to go bioprospecting to find a microbe that will produce an enzyme that works under these conditions. Given that a microbe’s enzymes usually function best in conditions similar to those in which it lives, which bacterium would be the best choice as the source of the “cleaning” enzyme for this process? A bacterium found in:

a. a neutral (pH 7) forest soil in the Arctic

b. an acidic (pH 3.5) forest soil in the Arctic

c. an acidic (pH 3.5) hot spring in Yellowstone Park

d. an alkaline (pH 9.5) hot spring in Yellowstone Park

a. a neutral (pH 7) forest soil in the Arctic

b. an acidic (pH 3.5) forest soil in the Arctic

c. an acidic (pH 3.5) hot spring in Yellowstone Park

d. an alkaline (pH 9.5) hot spring in Yellowstone Park

Explanation / Answer

Answer: C

The process works best at pH 3 and 180 degree F. The bacterium in hot spring in Yellowstone park grows in acidic pH 3.5 and at around 456 degree F. It can sustain at 180 degree F. And the bacteria will produce enzymes at this condition.

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