Topic 3.3 Sourcing substances from biomass (60 GLH)

Biomass has always been a crucial source of materials, particularly for food supplies, but also for fibres, medicines, dyes and pigments. As our understanding of the biochemistry and molecular biology of all organisms has developed it has become possible to apply increasingly sophisticated scientific approaches to obtaining and processing biomass. If we are going to be able to provide adequate food and water supplies worldwide and meet demand for energy and raw materials sustainably, we need to be able to maximise the potential for sourcing substances from biomass, including the potential to develop alternative fuel supplies and chemical feedstocks.

A wide range of occupations is involved in obtaining and processing biomass, including agricultural scientists, horticulturists, biotechnologists, botanists and chemists. They work in research and development (R&D) departments, manufacturing plants and in analytical quality control laboratories.

The purpose of this topic is for learners to apply their knowledge of the structure, function and reproduction of living organisms to assess and evaluate the potential of types of biomass. Learners will be able to identify organisms as potential sources and, at a micro scale, carry out processes to extract biomass substances. They will be able to justify the techniques, methods, equipment and materials used. Based on an understanding of the challenges involved in working with substances obtained from living organisms learners will be able to assess the technical, economical, environmental, social and ethical implications for scaling up their practical work to a commercial scale.

This topic could provide an opportunity for learners to work in teams.

This topic links to 3.2 and 3.6.

Learners must know and understand:

1. characteristics and features of healthy cells, tissues and structures in plants and animals

2. the potential of biomass as a source of materials with useful characteristics

3. naturally occurring factors that affect the growth of organisms including light, nutrients, weather and climate

4. factors that contribute to optimising yields including control of pathogens, fertilisers, pest and disease control, patterns of inheritance, selective breeding, hereditary conditions, in-breeding and out-breeding, and genetic modification

5. techniques for monitoring growing environments and options for remedial action including identification and prevention of diseases

6. the challenges of commercial production of biomass including techniques and implications of processing

7. the scientific basis of techniques and processes to obtain products from biomass

8. types of storage, packaging and preservations used for products from biomass including use of smart materials

9. environmental, legal, political, social and ethical requirements associated with the production and retailing of products from biomass.

Learners must be able to:

1. assess the potential of animal and plant growth programmes as a source of biomass

2. select relevant extraction and processing techniques to create products from biomass

3. analyse and characterise products obtained from biomass

4. evaluate the implications of industrial scale production of a product from biomass

5. present a case for or against industrial scale production of a product from biomass.

In order to engage with this topic effectively, learners must use the following PLTS:

• effective participators
• creative thinkers
• reflective learners
• self managers.