Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Microbes in Human Welfare

Question:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.

During anaerobic sludge digestion, bacteria produce a mixture of gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. These gases form biogas and can be used as source of energy as it is inflammable. The bioactive molecule, cyclosporin A, that is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ-transplant patients, is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. You must have noticed that bottled fruit juices bought from the market are clearer as compared to those made at home. This is because the bottled juices are clarified by the use of pectinases and proteases. Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been commercialised as blood-cholesterol lowering agents. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol. The BOD test measures the rate of uptake of oxygen by micro-organisms in a sample of water and thus, indirectly, BOD is a measure of the organic matter present in the water.

Statins, used as blood-cholesterol lowering agents are produced by -

Options:

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Trichoderma polysporum

Monascus purpureus

Staphylococci

Correct Answer:

Monascus purpureus

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Monascus purpureus 

Microbes are used for commercial and industrial production of certain chemicals like organic acids, alcohols and enzymes. Examples of acid producers are Aspergillus niger (a fungus) of citric acid, Acetobacter aceti (a bacterium) of acetic acid; Clostridium butylicum (a bacterium) of butyric acid and Lactobacillus (a bacterium) of lactic acid. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is used for commercial production of ethanol.

Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been commercialised as blood-cholesterol lowering agents. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol.

Cyclosporin A is a bioactive molecule that is widely used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ transplant patients. It plays a crucial role in preventing organ rejection by suppressing the immune system's response to the transplanted organ. This important medication is derived from the fungus Trichoderma polysporum.