University Taster

Chemical Engineering – University Taster

  1. 1. Prerequisites
  2. 2. Chemistry & Thermodynamics
  3. 3. Fluid Dynamics
  4. 4. Separation Processes
  5. 5. Biochemical Engineering
  6. 6. Sustainable Chemical Engineering
  7. 7. Next Steps
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Unlike petroleum based products, biologically engineered products are produced using microorganisms. This term includes single-celled organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This lesson will describe concepts relevant to biochemical engineers, including how microorganisms grow, what impacts their growth rate, and the reactions that take place within cells that act as the basis for biochemical processes.

Factors Affecting Microorganisms

Microorganisms grow to different concentrations and at different rates depending on the conditions present, as well as the type of microorganism. Table 1 describes some of the factors that may impact microbial growth.

Variable Impact on Microbial Growth
Temperature High temperatures can denature proteins in microbes but cell membranes may be fragile at low temperatures
Nutrients Availability Macronutrients are needed in large quantities for the cell development whilst micronutrients are indeed for enzyme function
Water Availability Essential for growth and maintenance of cells, also acting as a transport medium for nutrients
Electron Acceptor Impacts the metabolism, which is the combination of large molecules forming from smaller ones and larger molecules breaking down
Table 1. Summary of factors that can affect microbial growth.

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