Antibiotics are the substances produced by microorganisms that kill or inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms and destroys it. These inhibit the synthesis of enzymes required for nucleic acid metabolism or protein synthesis. They also act by disrupting the cell wall or cell membrane of pathogens. Antibiotic was by chance discovered by a bacteriologist, Alexander Fleming. He discovered Penicillin, the first natural antibiotic.

Fermentors are metallic containers used for growing organisms (yeast, bacteria or animal cells) under controlled conditions. It is also called bioreactors. It is the system that supports the growth of cells, tissues or organisms and is used in industrial processes to produce vaccines, alcohol or antibodies.

Biogas, is defined as the mixture of gas produced by the anaerobic breakdown of biomass with the help of methanogenic bacteria. The biogas is made up of methane (50-70%), carbon dioxide (30-40%) with traces of nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, and hydrogen. It is also called gobar gas. This gas can be produced by waste material coming from agriculture fields, and manure, municipal waste.

Fermentors are metallic containers used for growing organisms (yeast, bacteria or animal cells) under controlled conditions. It is also called bioreactors. It is the system that supports the growth of cells, tissues or organisms and is used in industrial processes to produce vaccines, alcohol or antibodies.

How do Blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria work as biofertilizers? Explain.

Biofertilizers are microorganisms that bring about nutrient enrichment of soil by enhancing the availability of nutrients to crops. The major sources of biofertilizers are bacteria, fungi, and blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria). Blue-green algae are photoautotrophic prokaryotes. These organisms fix the atmospheric nitrogen in moist soils, which is then provided to the plant. These prokaryotes have specialized cells called heterocyst, which contains the Nif gene that encodes an enzyme involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Rice fields are ideal for the growth of cyanobacteria; hence the use of these organisms in paddy fields increases rice production.