Biochemical Conversions Advantages And Disadvantages

However, despite its many advantages biomass still has many disadvantages. Firstly it is not as efficient as fossil fuels, for example the ethanol produced for cars via biomass is not even close to the efficiency of petrol and does damage to engines over time. It also has the potential to harm the environment through increase of methane gases which are produced as a bi-product if animal and human waste is used. Biomass also requires a large distance away from residential areas in order to burn it and a large amount of fuel in comparison to other energy sources which can have dramatic effects if large portions of forests are cut down to provide lumber.1

The purpose of this lab is to discover how changes in temperature can affect enzyme activity. All walks of life, from humans to plants, are living because of biochemical reactions. Biochemical reactions are processes that occur on a cellular level and are responsible for sustaining life: Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Digestion, etc. Within these reactions, molecules change their identity and transform into new molecules. In the middle of these molecular transformations are enzymes (sites.com).

Biomass energy is a renewable energy source from living or recently living plant and animal materials which can be used as fuel. There are many ways in which we could produce this energy such as heat and steam. Also, instead of leaving waste in landfills, we’re reusing that waste and converting it into usable power. Pros: 1. Renewable. 2. Dependency on Fossil Fuels is Reduced 3. Protects air quality 4. Improves forest health. Cons: 1. Not 100% clean. 2. Requires a lot of water. 3. Not as efficient as fossil fuels.

Currently the market that the biosystems has been catering with reference to its harvester is the foreign markets of Brazil, Latin America, British Columbia and Scandinavia. As these countries show great potential of growth in the in the biomass-based

In the article, the Burning Question, the issue of biomass energy via wood pellets was brought to question. This subject has deeply divided scientists, primarily from the chemistry and environmental science disciplines, economists, and politicians. Currently the use of wood pellets for energy, under the European Union, is classified as a carbon-neutral fuel. The argument for this designation lies in the regeneration of trees to take up the carbon released from burning past trees. However, many scientists call foul, basing their argument on the substantial lag period between burning trees and the regeneration of them. This period has led many to worry that such actions will worsen the current global warming crisis. Biomass energy plants produce,

Hopkins, David W. et al. "Genetically Modified Lignin Below Ground". Nat Biotechnol 25.2 (2007): 168-169. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

Biofuels are biologically derived fuels obtained in a renewable way from organic waste. These organic remains usually come from sugar, wheat, corn or oilseeds. They all reduce the total volume of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere as they absorb it as they grow and emit virtually the same amount as conventional fuels when they burn, resulting in a closed cycle process. Biofuels are often mixed with other fuels in small proportions, 5 or 10%, providing a useful but limited reduction of greenhouse gases. In Europe and the United States, legislation has been in place requiring suppliers to mix biofuels to certain levels. This legislation has been copied by many other countries that believe that these fuels will help to improve the planet through the reduction of gases that produce the so-called 'Greenhouse Effect '.

For over forty years now, scientists and researchers have been tirelessly searching for an alternative to fossil fuels. Biofuels have become an interesting contender in the search for the replacement of the non-renewable energy source. Biofuels have been used throughout history for over thousands of years. There is a large debate over biofuels and its true impact on the environment. Those involved in the discussion debating whether biofuels have any real overwhelming benefits compared to fossil fuels could argue for its usage. According to recent research performed by the University of Michigan, biofuels may not be the best alternative for fossil fuels. Regardless of its impact on the environment, biofuels are becoming more popular particularly when the price of oil rises.

[Biofuels ‘13] Biofuels For Transport: Global Potential And Implications For Sustainable Energy And Agriculture. n.p.; Earthscan, 2007. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

It is significant to note that net energy analyses of both types of biofuels will differ based on source matter, differential processing technologies, crop production techniques, and the amount of biofuel being utilized. For example, bioethanol that is produced from wheat has a greater energy renewability efficiency value (ERenEF) (48%) than does ethanol produced from corn. ERenEF “measures the fraction of final fuel energy obtained from renewable resources” (Maca and Freire, 2006). This indicates that a greater percentage of the energy from wheat-based ethanol is renewable, as compared to energy from corn-based ethanol.

Biological reactions are catalyzed by enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that act as the body’s natural catalysts, and they increase the rate of reactions without being altered or consumed. Enzymes are highly specific, meaning they only pair with specific substrates in order to break down substances. Substrates fit the enzyme just like a key fits a lock; this ensures that only specific substrates can bind with their specific enzyme. The reaction happens on the enzyme’s active site and if the active site is in any way altered or if the enzyme is inhibited, there will be no reaction.

In biological reactions, enzymes function as catalysts to speed up the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy without being consumed.

Nowadays, biofuels have become essential for future economic development and environmental protection. Primarily, their environment-friendliness and low carbon emissions are emphasized as the main advantages. However, in reality, few investigations were made to find out the disadvantages of such renewable alternative, and it may bring much more negative impacts than its advantages.

In the world of global warming, all kinds of pollution and fuel shortages going on, renewable and clean/ green energy is increasingly the ideal solution of energy related problems we have to solve one way or another. Biofuel is one of the mainstream and highly supported solutions nowadays, an idea to make renewable fuel by living organisms such as fiber, corn, vegetable oil or sugar cane. Unlike nonrenewable fossil fuels over extracted by people causing various environmental problems like generating a considerable amount greenhouse gas, current technology already lets renewable fuel like biofuels to shrink a certain amount of greenhouse gas production, making it a more ‘clean’ source of energy.

Energy use: In their report Ackom, Mabee and Saddler (2010) state that the energy use is primarily defined by the electric energy that goes into the bioconversion process. This analysis considers efficiency in production and manufacturing process. According to this, biofuels (both 1st and 2nd generations) are reducing considerable amount of energy used in the extraction and manufacturing process as compared to non-renewable resources. Roughly evaluated values of energy saving of some of the common biofuels are noted as follows (relative to fossil fuels): sugarcane (89%), switch grass (85%), wood (82%), soybean (45%), corn (43%), wheat (42%). These figures are very promising and continue to ameliorate as technology, and research and development improves.