Do you think microbes can also be used as source of energy? If yes,how?
Solution and Explanation
Yes microbes can be used as a source of energy. Bacteria such as methane bacterium is used for the generation of gobar gas or biogas.
The generation of biogas is an anaerobic process in a biogas plant which consist of a concrete tank (10-15 feet deep) with sufficient outlets and inlets. The dung is mixed with water to form the slurry and thrown into the tank. The digester of the tank is filled with numerous anaerobic metane-producing bacteria which produce biogas from the slurry. Biogas can be removed from the pipe which is then used as a source of energy while the spent slurry is removed from the outlet and is used as a fertilizer.
Top Questions on Microbes in human welfare
- A farmer notices that the leaves of his cabbage plants are curling up because of heavy infestation of aphids. Suggest one ecofriendly method to control their spread in the cabbage plants.
- ICSE Class XII - 2026
- Biology
- Microbes in human welfare
- Define Biopiracy with reference to Basmati rice.
- RBSE Class XII Exam - 2026
- Biology
- Microbes in human welfare
- Match the following:
- TS EAMCET - 2025
- Zoology
- Microbes in human welfare
- Match the following
- TS EAMCET - 2025
- Zoology
- Microbes in human welfare
- Consider the following statements Statement I: In the crop of female {Anopheles}, microgametes of {Plasmodium} are separated from the microgametocyte by ex-flagellation. Statement II: Schuffner's dots are believed to be the antigens released by {Plasmodium}. The correct answer is
- TS EAMCET - 2025
- Zoology
- Microbes in human welfare
Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam
- The rate for the following reaction is given by: \[ A + B \rightarrow C, \quad \text{Rate} = k[A][B]^2 \] How is the rate affected if we double the concentration of B?
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2026
- Chemical Kinetics
- Find the general solution of the differential equation \[ y\log y\,\frac{dx}{dy}+x=\frac{2}{y}. \]
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2026
- Differential Equations
- A square loop of side 0.50 m is placed in a uniform magnetic field of 0.4 T perpendicular to the plane of the loop. The loop is rotated through an angle of 60° in 0.2 s. The value of emf induced in the loop will be:
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2026
- Electromagnetic induction
A racing track is built around an elliptical ground whose equation is given by \[ 9x^2 + 16y^2 = 144 \] The width of the track is \(3\) m as shown. Based on the given information answer the following:
(i) Express \(y\) as a function of \(x\) from the given equation of ellipse.
(ii) Integrate the function obtained in (i) with respect to \(x\).
(iii)(a) Find the area of the region enclosed within the elliptical ground excluding the track using integration.
OR
(iii)(b) Write the coordinates of the points \(P\) and \(Q\) where the outer edge of the track cuts \(x\)-axis and \(y\)-axis in first quadrant and find the area of triangle formed by points \(P,O,Q\).
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2026
- Integration
- Consider a cylindrical conductor of length \( l \) and area of cross-section \( A \). Current \( I \) is maintained in the conductor and electrons drift with velocity \( \vec{v}_d \, (|\vec{v}_d| = \frac{eE}{m} \tau) \), where symbols have their usual meanings. Show that the conductivity of the material of the conductor is given by \[ \sigma = \frac{n e^2 \tau}{m}. \]
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2026
- Current Density
Concepts Used:
Microbes in Human Welfare
There are several valuable microorganisms that are beneficial to humans in various manners such as:
In Household Products
- Fermentation of milk to produce yogurt.
- Milk cuddling to compose curd, cheese, and paneer.
In Industrial Products
- Production of beverages such as wine, beer, whiskey, brandy, or rum.
- Production of antibiotics such as Penicillin and other chemical substances to kill or retard the expansion of disease-causing microbes.
Fermented Beverages
- A fermentor is used to produce microbes on a large scale for industrial purposes.
- The brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is used to make ethanol. At this time, the yeast ferments malted cereals and fruit juices.
Antibiotics
- The term antibiotic means “against life”. These materials can kill or destroy the growth of other microbes.