🌱 BIOTECH & BIOFUELS

🌱 BIOTECH & BIOFUELS

What is CRISPR-Cas9?

A gene-editing tool.

How can CRISPR help crops?

Adds heat/drought genes for efficiency.

What is a biofuel?

Fuel from biomass.

What is biomass?

Organic matter from plants/animals.

What is bioethanol?

Ethanol fuel from fermented sugars.

Why is bioethanol carbon neutral?

CO₂ released = CO₂ absorbed by plant.

What is fermentation?

Anaerobic sugar breakdown by microbes.

Enzyme that breaks starch?

Amylase.

What is hydrolysis in biofuel?

Enzyme + water breaking down polymers.

Why is ethanol purified?

To remove water and concentrate it.

Main biofuel source in Australia?

Sorghum starch waste.

Yeast role in biofuel?

Ferments glucose to ethanol.

Energy yield of bioethanol?

Less than fossil fuels, but renewable.

One con of biofuels?

Food vs fuel competition.

One pro of biofuels?

Renewable and carbon neutral.

What is gel electrophoresis?

Technique that separates DNA fragments by size.

What is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)?

Amplifies DNA to make many copies.

What are primers in PCR?

Short DNA sequences that start DNA synthesis.

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

Organism with artificially altered DNA.

What is recombinant DNA?

DNA made by combining genes from different organisms.