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Question #46565
The Question
An industrial biotechnologist attempts to scale up the production of a blood-cholesterol-lowering agent using Monascus purpureus. However, replacing the standard curved-base stirred-tank bioreactor with a flat-bottomed vessel drastically reduces the yield of the desired product. Which of the following best explains the primary cause of this reduced yield and the exact nature of the lost product?
Options
- A.
Reduced mixing efficiency and oxygen mass transfer inhibit the synthesis of a competitive inhibitor of the cholesterol-synthesizing enzyme.
- B.
Increased shear stress on the yeast cells prevents the synthesis of a clot-dissolving enzyme used for myocardial infarction patients.
- C.
Decreased surface area for gaseous exchange reduces the production of a bioactive molecule used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ transplants.
- D.
Formation of anaerobic pockets shifts the metabolic flux, inhibiting the synthesis of a non-competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Statin_Mechanism_of_Action|Household_Product_Fermentation|Bioreactor_Geometry
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
The 'Conceptual Pivot' requires integrating two distinct NCERT chapters: 'Microbes in Human Welfare' (Microbe-Product-Mechanism mapping) and 'Biotechnology: Principles and Processes' (Bioreactor geometry).
The primary trap lies in Option D, which tests the 'Quantitative/Functional Nuance' by swapping 'competitive' with 'non-competitive' inhibition, a classic NEET distractor.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Microbes in Human Welfare - Class 12 |
| Concept | Household Product Fermentation Specificity |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |