Downstream Processing: Techniques for Product Recovery in Biotechnology

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental technique used in downstream processing in biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

Genetic engineering

Answer

Filtration

Answer

Chromatography

Answer

Extraction

Question 2

What is the main advantage of using affinity chromatography for product purification?

Accepted Answer

High specificity for the target molecule

Answer

Low cost and ease of operation

Answer

Broad applicability to various products

Answer

High throughput capacity

Question 3

In the context of downstream processing, the term 'eluent' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The mobile phase in a chromatography column

Answer

The stationary phase in a chromatography column

Answer

The product being purified

Answer

The impurities being removed

Question 4

Which of the following can serve as a stationary phase in ion exchange chromatography?

Accepted Answer

Porous resins

Answer

Cellulose

Answer

Silica gel

Answer

Activated carbon

Question 5

What is the primary objective of downstream processing in biotechnology?

Accepted Answer

To produce high-quality products

Answer

To maximize product yield

Answer

To reduce production costs

Answer

To comply with regulatory requirements

Question 6

Which of the following filtration techniques is commonly used to clarify cell culture broth and remove suspended solids?

Accepted Answer

Microfiltration

Answer

Cross-flow filtration

Answer

Ultrafiltration

Answer

Dialysis

Question 7

What is the fundamental principle behind ion exchange chromatography, a separation technique used in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

Separation of molecules based on their charge

Answer

Separation of molecules based on their size

Answer

Separation of molecules based on their hydrophobicity

Answer

Separation of molecules based on their specific binding affinity

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a crucial factor that can significantly affect the efficiency of an extraction process in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

Enzyme concentration

Answer

Solvent selection

Answer

Temperature

Answer

pH

Question 9

What is the primary role of tangential flow filtration (TFF) in the downstream processing of biotechnological products?

Accepted Answer

Concentration of products

Answer

Removal of salts and impurities

Answer

Sterilization of products

Answer

Purification of proteins

Question 10

In reversed-phase chromatography, which of the following is a commonly used stationary phase?

Accepted Answer

Silica gel

Answer

Cellulose

Answer

Hydroxyapatite

Answer

DEAE-cellulose

Question 11

Which of the following techniques is NOT primarily used in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

Gene sequencing

Answer

Filtration

Answer

Centrifugation

Answer

Chromatography

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of filtration in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

To remove particles from a liquid

Answer

To separate molecules based on size

Answer

To concentrate a product

Answer

To purify a product by removing impurities

Question 13

Which type of chromatography is commonly used to separate proteins based on their electrical charge?

Accepted Answer

Ion-exchange chromatography

Answer

Size-exclusion chromatography

Answer

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography

Answer

Affinity chromatography

Question 14

What is the role of extraction in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

To separate molecules based on their solubility

Answer

To remove solvents from a product

Answer

To purify a product by removing impurities

Answer

To concentrate a product

Question 15

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the efficiency of filtration?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Answer

Filter pore size

Answer

Pressure

Answer

Product viscosity

Question 16

What is the purpose of a gradient elution in chromatography?

Accepted Answer

To improve separation of molecules

Answer

To increase the speed of elution

Answer

To reduce the cost of chromatography

Answer

To simplify the detection of molecules

Question 17

Which of the following is a common application of affinity chromatography?

Accepted Answer

Purification of antibodies

Answer

Separation of proteins based on size

Answer

Removal of impurities from a product

Answer

Concentration of a product

Question 18

How does size exclusion chromatography (SEC) separate molecules, and what are its key applications in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

SEC separates molecules based on their size, allowing for the purification of proteins based on their molecular weight.

Accepted Answer

SEC is often used to purify products from fermentation broths, where molecules of different sizes need to be separated for downstream processing.

Answer

SEC uses a stationary phase with charged groups to separate molecules.

Answer

SEC is not commonly used in downstream processing.

Question 19

In downstream processing, which trend is becoming less prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Traditional batch processing

Answer

Continuous processing

Answer

Integration of AI and machine learning

Answer

Use of monoclonal antibodies

Question 20

Which of the following accurately describes the primary goal of downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

Purification and recovery of products from bioprocesses

Answer

Optimization of bioprocesses for efficiency

Answer

Preparation of raw materials for bioprocesses

Answer

Design and development of new products

Question 21

Which technique serves as the initial step in removing particulate matter and debris from a bioprocess stream?

Accepted Answer

Filtration

Answer

Precipitation

Answer

Extraction

Answer

Chromatography

Question 22

Chromatography relies on what principle to achieve separation?

Accepted Answer

Differential interactions between molecules and a stationary phase

Answer

Discrepancies in molecule solubility

Answer

Variations in molecule density

Question 23

What is the fundamental principle behind extraction, a commonly used downstream processing technique?

Accepted Answer

Separation of compounds based on their differing solubilities in immiscible solvents

Answer

Separation of compounds based on their charge

Answer

Separation of compounds based on their molecular weight

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of precipitation in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

To induce the formation of solids from a solution

Answer

To separate molecules based on their size

Answer

To increase product solution concentration

Answer

To remove impurities from a product

Question 25

Which advantage is associated with continuous chromatography in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

Increased productivity and efficiency

Answer

Lower operating costs

Answer

Reduced waste generation

Answer

Higher product purity

Question 26

What is the primary role of buffer solutions in downstream processing?

Accepted Answer

To maintain stable pH and ionic conditions

Answer

To inactivate enzymes

Answer

To facilitate product extraction

Answer

To enhance product solubility

Question 27

Which challenge is commonly encountered in scaling up downstream processing from laboratory to industrial scale?

Accepted Answer

Adapting processes for larger production volumes

Answer

Limited availability of raw materials

Answer

Inadequate training of personnel