Astrain of escherichia coli has been genetically engineered to produce human protein. a batch culture is started by inoculating 12 g of cells into a 100-litre bubble column fermenter containing 10 g 1^- 1 glucose. the culture does not exhibit a lag phase. the maximum specific growth rate of the cells is 0.9 h^-1; the biomass yield from glucose is 0.575 g g^-1
1. estimate the time required to reach stationary phase.
2. what will be the final cell density if the fermentation is stopped after only 70% of the substrate is consumed?

1. 4.32 h

2. 4.12 g/L

Explanation:

1. For a batch culture, the time (tb) can be calculated by:

tb =  ln (X/X0)/μmax

Where X0 is the initial mass concentration of the cells (12 g/100L = 0.12 g/L), X is the mass concentration of the cells at tb, and μmax is the maximum specific growth rate of the cells.

The biomass yield (Y) is:

Y = (X - X0)/ (S0 - S)

Where S is the mass concentration of the substrate at tb and S0 the initial mass concentration of the substrate (glucose in this case).

Reorganizing:

X = Y*(S0 -S) + X0

Let's assume that at the stationary state all substrate was consumed, so S = 0.

tb = ln[(YS0 + X0)/X0)]/μmax

tb = ln[(0.575*10 + 0.12)/0.12]/0.9

tb = 4.32 h

2.  If 70% of the substrate is consumed, S = 10 - 0.7*10 = 3 g/L

tb = ln[(0.575*(10-3) + 0.12)/0.12]/0.9

tb = 3.93 h

The initial concentration is X0 = 0.12 g/L, the X:

tb =  ln (X/X0)/μmax

3.93 = ln(X/0.12)/0.9

ln(X/0.12) = 3.537

X/0.12 =

X/0.12 = 34.36

X = 4.12 g/L

chemical energy is stored in the chemical bonds of atoms and molecules. it can only be seen when it is released in a chemical reaction. when chemical energy is released, the substance from which the energy came is often changed into an entirely different substance.

this chemical reaction releases energy in the form of light and heat. chemical energy is the potential energy stored in the arrangement of atoms within molecules. breaking chemical bonds requires energy, while forming new chemical bonds releases energy.

the atp molecule can store energy in the form of a high energy phosphate bond joining the terminal phosphate group to the rest of the molecule. in this form,energy can be stored at one location, then moved from one part of the cell to another, where it can be released to drive other biochemical reactions.