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Mutant enzyme eats plastic

Last updated over 7 years ago
18 questions
Note from the author:
Students read an article in TheGuardian and answer questions about a mutant enzyme accidently discovered which could eventually help reduce plastic waste by breaking down the plastic into it's original components.
Please read the article found at this URL:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles
and answer the questions below. Thanks. Live long and prosper.
1

From which website was this article taken?

1

What was created by the scientists?

1

What does the new discovery do?

2

What type of organism was discovered in 2016? What was it's special super power?

1

What type of molecule in the bacteria had been mutated?

1

What does PET stand for, in the context of this article?

1

What did the scientists 'accidentally' do to the enzyme?

1

How long does the mutant enzyme take to start breaking down plastic?

1

What will the enzyme do to the plastic (be more specific than 'break it down')?

1

At what rate are plastic bottles sold each minute world wide?

1

How much of it is recycled?

1

What does 'resistant to degradation' mean within the context of this article?

1

Currently what are recycled plastic bottles turned into?

1

Where did scientists find the new enzyme?

1

What is special about Diamond Light Source?

1

What is cutin?

1

Where are scientist thinking about transplanting the mutant enzyme into?

1

What caution did Professor Azapagic state at the end of the article?