Question

Identify the blank spaces A, B, C and D in the table given below and select the correct answer.

Type of microbe	Scientific name	Product	Medical application
Fungus	A	Cyclosporin A	B
C	Monascus purpureus	Statin	D

I. A- Trichoderma polysporum, B- As an immunosuppressive agent, C- Yeast (Fungus), D- Lowering of blood cholesterol
II. A- Trichoderma polysporum, B- Lowering of blood cholesterol, C- Yeast (Fungus), D- As an immunosuppressive agent
III. B- Lowering of blood cholesterol, A- Trichoderma polysporum, C- Yeast (Fungus), D- As an immunosuppressive agent
IV. D- An immunosuppressive agent, A- Trichoderma polysporum, C- Yeast (Fungus), B- Lowering of blood cholesterol

Answer 1

Hint: There are thousands of microbes around us. Some of these are harmful and some are very beneficial. The above-listed microbes are beneficial to humans as they are used for medicinal purposes. Products obtained from them aids in human health.

Complete answer: Trichoderma polysporum is a fungal species that is known to make cyclosporine A compound. This compound exhibits antifungal and anti-inhibitory properties. The key property of this compound is that it is able to inhibit the activation of T-cells. These cells are involved in recognizing foreign and self elements. During the time of grafting usually, our body rejects the graft as T-cells recognize it as foreign. But using cyclosporine A we can inhibit this rejection by T-cells. So, the medical application of Cyclosporin A is an immunosuppressive agent.
Monascus purpureus is a yeast strain belonging to the fungus that is known to make statin. Statin is a competitive inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis. This means that it negatively affects the cholesterol synthesis process. So, its medical application is that it is used to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Thus, from the above discussion, we can conclude that option A is the correct answer.

Note: Another common yeast species which is used commercially at a large scale is named Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is used in fermentation processes. Cheese formation, alcohol production, ethanol production, etc. is aided by this Yeast strain.