Question

Assertion : Use of single cell protein (SCP) can help to reduce environmental pollution.
Reason : Organisms used to produce SCP can be easily grown on straw, molasses, waste water from potato processing plants, sewage, etc.

• A. Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of the assertion
• B. Both reason and assertion are true, and the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion
• C. Assertion is a true statement but reason is false
• D. Both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

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

Single Cell Protein or SCP refers to the edible protein extracted from pure microbial cultures, dead, or dried cell biomass. It can be used as an alternative protein source or supplement for both humans or animals. Microorganisms such as unicellular algae, fungi, yeast, bacteria can be used as SCP.

Algae such as Spirulina are widely used for the production of SCP as it is rich in protein content. It can be easily grown using inexpensive substrates like agricultural wastes, wood shavings, sawdust, corn cobs, waste water from the potato processing industry, straw, molasses, manure, sewage, human and animal wastes, etc.

These wastes are utilised in an efficient manner in SCP production and get converted into biological fertilisers. This decreases environmental pollution. Otherwise these waste materials would accumulate in the environment. Hence, both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of the given assertion.