Question

Given below is a list of six micro-organisms. State their usefulness to humans.

1. Nucleopolyhedrovirus
2. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
3. Monascus purpureus
4. Trichoderma polysporum
5. Penicillium notatum
6. Propionibacterium sharmanii

Answer 1

	Micro-Organism	Usefulness to Humans
(a)	Nucleopolyhedrovirus	It is a biological control agent. It is a species-specific insecticide.
(b)	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	It is used to ferment bread dough. It is used in the preparation of ethanol by fermenting fruit juices and cereals.
(c)	Monascus purpureus	Statins produced by it work as blood cholesterol-lowering agents.
(d)	Trichoderma polysporum	It produces cyclosporin A, which works as an immunosuppressant.
(e)	Penicillium notatum	It is a source of penicillin, an antibiotic.
(f)	Propionibacterium shermanii	It helps in the ripening of Swiss cheese. It is also responsible for the appearance of large holes in the cheese, as it produces high amounts of carbon dioxide.