Cell Harvesting and Disruption: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Biotechnology Students

Question 1

What is the primary mechanism by which mechanical cell disruption achieves its intended effect?

Accepted Answer

Shearing forces

Answer

Biochemical reactions

Answer

Osmosis

Answer

Ultrasound

Question 2

Which factor does NOT influence the efficiency of cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

Presence of proteases

Answer

Cell wall thickness

Answer

Cell size

Answer

Temperature

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of incorporating enzymes in cell disruption processes?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate product release

Answer

To disrupt cell membranes

Answer

To degrade nucleic acids

Answer

To inactivate enzymes

Question 4

What is the principal objective of cell harvesting in the context of bioprocess engineering?

Accepted Answer

To prepare cells for downstream processing

Answer

To concentrate cells

Answer

To remove impurities

Answer

To release products

Question 5

Which method of cell separation utilizes a filter with pores of specific sizes to separate cells based on their size?

Accepted Answer

Filtration

Answer

Centrifugation

Answer

Flocculation

Answer

Chromatography

Question 6

Which enzyme, commonly employed in bioprocess engineering, facilitates the breakdown of proteins during cell lysis?

Accepted Answer

Protease

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Cellulase

Question 7

Homogenizers, utilized in cell disruption, primarily function by:

Accepted Answer

Generating shear forces to facilitate cell lysis

Answer

Applying high pressure to break down cell walls

Answer

Separating cell debris from the lysate

Answer

Amplifying the effects of enzymes

Question 8

Which technique is commonly employed for large-scale cell harvesting in industrial applications?

Accepted Answer

Sedimentation

Answer

Microfiltration

Answer

Flocculation

Answer

Electrostatic separation

Question 9

A key advantage of using a high-pressure homogenizer for cell disruption is:

Accepted Answer

Rapid and efficient cell breakage

Answer

Minimal heat generation

Answer

Low energy consumption

Answer

Large-scale applicability

Question 10

What is the purpose of using enzymes for cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

To break down the cell wall or membrane and release intracellular products

Answer

To increase the permeability of the cell membrane

Answer

To inhibit cell growth and prevent contamination

Answer

To precipitate proteins and facilitate product isolation

Question 11

The main difference between mechanical and non-mechanical cell disruption methods is that:

Accepted Answer

Mechanical methods use external force, while non-mechanical methods use chemical or biological agents

Answer

Mechanical methods are more efficient but generate more heat

Answer

Non-mechanical methods are more selective but slower

Answer

There is no significant difference between the two methods

Question 12

Which of the following does NOT affect the efficiency of cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

Presence of oxygen

Answer

Cell size and shape

Answer

Temperature

Answer

pH

Question 13

The principle behind ultrasonic cell disruption is the:

Accepted Answer

Generation of cavitation bubbles that implode and disrupt the cell

Answer

Application of high voltage to create an electric field

Answer

Use of enzymes to break down the cell wall

Answer

Treatment with high-pressure jets

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a conventional method for cell harvesting?

Accepted Answer

Cell fusion

Answer

Filtration

Answer

Centrifugation

Answer

Flocculation

Question 15

What is the ultimate purpose of cell disruption in bioprocess engineering?

Accepted Answer

To release intracellular products

Answer

To separate cells from impurities

Answer

To increase cell viability

Answer

To induce cell growth

Question 16

Which of the following is the most frequently used mechanical cell disruption method?

Accepted Answer

Bead beating

Answer

Enzymatic lysis

Answer

Ultrasonication

Answer

Osmotic shock

Question 17

What is a key advantage of utilizing enzymes for cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

Selective targeting of specific cellular components

Answer

Lower energy consumption

Answer

Faster procedure compared to mechanical methods

Question 18

What is the purpose of adding a buffer during cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

To maintain a stable pH and safeguard cells from damage

Answer

To enhance the viscosity of the cell suspension

Answer

To inhibit enzymatic reactions

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential drawback associated with ultrasonication for cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

Generation of excessive heat and shear forces

Answer

Relatively low efficiency

Answer

Inability to process large volumes efficiently

Answer

Necessity for highly specialized equipment

Question 20

What is the fundamental distinction between cell lysis and cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

Cell lysis involves complete destruction of the cell, while cell disruption can be partial

Answer

Cell lysis exclusively employs enzymes, whereas cell disruption does not

Answer

Cell disruption is inherently more efficient than cell lysis

Question 21

What is the primary purpose of cryoprotectants in the context of cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

To protect cells from damage during freezing and thawing processes

Answer

To enhance the efficiency of cell disruption

Answer

To increase cell membrane permeability

Question 22

Which technique is commonly used for the separation of cells based on size?

Accepted Answer

Centrifugation

Answer

Electrophoresis

Answer

Filtration

Answer

Chromatography

Question 23

What is the primary mechanism of cell lysis in mechanical disruption methods?

Accepted Answer

Shear force

Answer

Heat

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Enzymes

Question 24

Which type of disruption method utilizes high-energy pulses to permeabilize cell membranes?

Accepted Answer

Electroporation

Answer

Bead milling

Answer

Sonication

Answer

Homogenization

Question 25

What is the main advantage of using enzymes for cell lysis?

Accepted Answer

Specificity

Answer

High yield

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Simplicity

Question 26

Which factor is crucial for achieving efficient product release during cell disruption?

Accepted Answer

Cell wall integrity

Answer

Disruption method

Answer

Cell membrane permeability

Answer

Culture conditions

Question 27

What is the role of buffer systems in cell harvesting and disruption?

Accepted Answer

Maintain pH and ionic strength

Answer

Enhance cell viability

Answer

Prevent protein aggregation

Answer

Inhibit enzyme activity

Question 28

Which type of centrifuge is typically used for large-scale cell harvesting in industrial settings?

Accepted Answer

Continuous centrifuge

Answer

Analytical centrifuge

Answer

Ultracentrifuge

Answer

Preparative centrifuge

Question 29

What is a key consideration when selecting a cell disruption method?

Accepted Answer

Target product characteristics

Answer

Equipment availability

Answer

Operator skill level

Answer

Cost of the method

Question 30

Which technique can be used to optimize cell disruption efficiency by reducing viscosity?

Accepted Answer

Pre-treatment with enzymes

Answer

Increasing agitation speed

Answer

Using a larger disruption chamber

Answer

Temperature control

Question 31

What is the primary goal of cell harvesting and disruption in bioprocess engineering?

Accepted Answer

Release intracellular products

Answer

Separate different cell types

Answer

Purify specific proteins

Answer

Analyze cell morphology