Question

The filamentous cells will become flexible under which of the following condition?

(a) Increased osmotic pressure and low turgor pressure

(b) Decreased osmotic pressure and high turgor pressure

(c) Increased osmotic pressure and high turgor pressure

(d) Decreased osmotic pressure and low turgor pressure

This question was addressed to me in class test.

The query is from Factors Affecting Broth Viscosity in section Fluid Flow and Mixing of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) Increased osmotic pressure and low turgor pressure

Best explanation: Osmotic pressure of the culture medium affects cell turgor pressure. This in turn affects the hyphal flexibility of filamentous cells; increased osmotic pressure gives a lower turgor pressure making the hyphae more flexible. Improved hyphal flexibility reduces broth viscosity, and can also have a marked effect on yield stress.