Question

Assertion: Swiss cheese has large holes due to the production of a large amount of carbon dioxide.
Reason: Propionibacterium sharmanii used for the ripening of Swiss cheese utilises lactic acid to produce propionic acid and carbon dioxide.

• A. Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion
• B. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion
• C. Only assertion is true
• D. Both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion

Cheese is a fermented milk product. Swiss cheese is a particular type of cheese that is characterised by the presence of large holes.

Fig: Swiss Cheese

After curdling of milk with lactic acid bacteria and salting, Propionibacterium sharmanii is added for the ripening of cheese and adding the flavor. The bacteria utilises the lactic acid in the curd to produce propionic acid and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas rises through the cheese block, creating large holes in it. Thus, large holes are produced by the action of the bacterium Propionibacterium sharmanii.

Thus, both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.