Question

Continuous culture provides a higher degree of control than a batch culture.

(a) True

(b) False

The question was asked during an online interview.

My question comes from Comparison of Batch and Continuous Culture in Industrial Processes in division Microbial Growth Kinetics of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) True

The explanation: Continuous culture provides a higher degree of control than a batch culture. Growth rates can be regulated and maintained for extended periods. By varying the dilution rate, biomass concentration can be controlled. Secondary metabolite production can be sustained simultaneously along with growth. In steady state continuous culture, mixed cultures can be maintained using chemostat cultures – unlike in a batch process where one organism usually outgrows another.