Question

The large holes in ‘Swiss-Cheese’ are made by a

• A. Fungus that releases a lot of gases during metabolic activities
• B. Machine
• C. Bacterium that produces methane gas
• D. Bacterium producing a large amount of CO₂

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The holes, also known as "eyes," in Swiss cheese are formed as a result of the activity of specific bacteria called propionibacteria. These bacteria consume the lactic acid produced by other bacteria during the cheese fermentation process. As a byproduct of their metabolic activities, propionibacteria produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas. The CO₂ gas gets trapped within the cheese, creating the characteristic holes or bubbles.
So, it is the propionibacteria in Swiss cheese that produce a significant amount of CO₂ gas, leading to the formation of the large holes observed in the cheese.