Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Curd is formed because the acids made by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) coagulate and partially digest the milk fats.
Statement II: In our stomach too, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a beneficial role in checking disease-causing microbes.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus grow in milk and turn it into curd. The acids they make act on the milk proteins. LAB are also useful inside our body.
Statement I: Curd is formed because the acids made by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) coagulate and partially digest the milk fats. — False. The acids made by LAB coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins, not the milk fats. This setting of the proteins is what turns milk into curd.
Statement II: In our stomach too, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a beneficial role in checking disease-causing microbes. — True. NCERT states that in our stomach LAB play a very beneficial role in checking disease-causing microbes.
NCERT Extract:
Microbes in Household Products – “… Micro-organisms such as Lactobacillus and others commonly called lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grow in milk and convert it to curd. During growth, the LAB produce acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins. A small amount of curd added to the fresh milk as inoculum or starter contain millions of LAB, which at suitable temperatures multiply, thus converting milk to curd, which also improves its nutritional quality by increasing vitamin B12. In our stomach too, the LAB play very beneficial role in checking disease-causing microbes.”