Bioreactor Design Parameters: A Comprehensive Guide for Biotechnology Students

Question 1

How do agitation and aeration work together to improve oxygen transfer in bioreactors?

Accepted Answer

Agitation and aeration create bubbles, increasing the surface area for oxygen transfer and preventing cell clumping.

Answer

Agitation alone creates bubbles, enhancing oxygen transfer.

Answer

Aeration alone provides enough oxygen for bioreactor processes.

Answer

Aeration increases the amount of oxygen that can dissolve in the bioreactor culture.

Question 2

The main purpose of agitation in a bioreactor is to:

Accepted Answer

Enhance mixing

Answer

Increase dissolved oxygen concentration

Answer

Control temperature

Answer

Promote cell growth

Question 3

The optimal temperature range for majority of microbial processes in bioreactors is typically:

Accepted Answer

30-40 °C

Answer

20-30 °C

Answer

40-50 °C

Answer

50-60 °C

Question 4

When designing large-scale bioreactors, the most crucial consideration is:

Accepted Answer

Scaling up of aeration and mixing systems

Answer

Minimizing thermal gradients

Answer

Optimizing media composition

Answer

Inoculum preparation

Question 5

The impeller Reynold's number (Re) is a dimensionless parameter used to characterize:

Accepted Answer

Flow regime

Answer

Mixing time

Answer

Power consumption

Answer

Shear stress

Question 6

Which bioreactor configuration is commonly used for continuous operation?

Accepted Answer

Continuous

Answer

Batch

Answer

Fed-batch

Answer

Semi-continuous

Question 7

How does pH influence the effectiveness of bioreactors?

Accepted Answer

pH affects the ionization of molecules, impacting enzyme activity and nutrient uptake.

Answer

pH directly alters the oxygen solubility in the medium.

Answer

pH has no significant impact on bioreactor performance.

Answer

pH primarily affects the heat transfer rate in bioreactors.

Question 8

In a bioreactor, what is the primary function of agitation?

Accepted Answer

Creating a uniform culture

Answer

Providing oxygen to the cells

Answer

Maintaining pH levels

Answer

Eliminating waste products

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of utilizing a foam breaker in a bioreactor?

Accepted Answer

Preventing foam formation and culture loss

Answer

Enhancing oxygen transfer

Answer

Controlling pH

Answer

Eliminating waste products

Question 10

For cultivating high-viscosity cultures with shear-sensitive cells, which bioreactor design is most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Airlift bioreactor

Answer

Stirred-tank bioreactor

Answer

Bubble column bioreactor

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a critical parameter directly influencing bioreactor performance?

Accepted Answer

Product formulation

Answer

Agitation rate

Answer

Temperature control

Answer

Aeration level

Question 12

Which type of impeller is commonly used in bioreactors to generate high shear forces?

Accepted Answer

Marine impeller

Answer

Rushton turbine

Answer

Paddle impeller

Answer

Helical ribbon impeller

Question 13

The optimal aeration rate in a bioreactor is primarily determined by which factor?

Accepted Answer

Dissolved oxygen level required by the cells

Answer

Agitation rate

Answer

Temperature of the medium

Answer

Size of the culture vessel

Question 14

Which of the following techniques is commonly used to measure dissolved oxygen concentration in a bioreactor?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen electrode

Answer

Mass spectrometry

Answer

Fluorescence microscopy

Answer

Gas chromatography

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a crucial parameter considered in bioreactor design?

Accepted Answer

Light intensity

Answer

Agitation

Answer

Shear stress

Answer

Temperature

Question 16

Which type of impeller is commonly employed for efficient mixing and uniform gas distribution in bioreactors?

Accepted Answer

Rushton turbine

Answer

Paddle impeller

Answer

Helical impeller

Answer

Propeller impeller

Question 17

What is the primary goal of aeration in bioprocesses conducted within bioreactors?

Accepted Answer

To furnish oxygen for aerobic microorganisms

Answer

To generate carbon dioxide

Answer

To adjust pH levels

Answer

To enhance heat transfer

Question 18

For most industrial bioreactor applications, what is the generally optimal temperature range?

Accepted Answer

20-40 °C

Answer

45-60 °C

Answer

65-80 °C

Answer

5-15 °C

Question 19

In bioreactors, which sensor is commonly utilized to accurately measure pH levels?

Accepted Answer

Glass electrode

Answer

Dissolved oxygen probe

Answer

Conductivity probe

Answer

Thermocouple

Question 20

What is the primary reason for controlling foam formation in bioreactors?

Accepted Answer

To mitigate risks of overflow and damage to equipment

Answer

To maximize oxygen transfer

Answer

To improve mixing efficiency

Answer

To augment product yield

Question 21

When selecting a bioreactor vessel material, what is a paramount consideration?

Accepted Answer

Chemical compatibility with the process

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Vessel size

Answer

Aesthetic appeal

Question 22

In a bioreactor, what is the primary function of a sparger?

Accepted Answer

To effectively introduce gases into the liquid medium

Answer

To measure temperature

Answer

To provide agitation

Answer

To regulate pH levels

Question 23

For large-scale bioprocesses, which bioreactor configuration is predominantly employed?

Accepted Answer

Stirred tank bioreactor

Answer

Fluidized bed bioreactor

Answer

Airlift bioreactor

Answer

Packed bed bioreactor