Overview of GMOs and Their Impact on Agriculture

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology to introduce, enhance, or suppress specific traits.

Transgenic

Involves introducing a gene from a different species into the organism.

Cisgenic

The modification involves genes from the same or a closely related species.

Intragenic

Changes within the genome, such as rearranging, inserting, or deleting native genes, without introducing foreign DNA.

Laboratory-based GMO

Direct genetic manipulation to introduce desired traits, which is faster and more precise.

Selective breeding

Traditional method of crossbreeding plants or animals to promote desired traits, which is time-consuming and less predictable.

Advertising and media in GMO perceptions

Advertising and media often frame GMOs positively or negatively based on the target audience's values, influencing public perception.

History of genetically modifying organisms

Humans have modified plants through selective breeding for thousands of years, with modern biotechnology beginning in the 20th century.

Example of GM bacteria

E. coli modified to produce insulin.

Example of GM animals

GloFish, AquAdvantage salmon.

Example of GM plants

Bt corn, Golden rice, Roundup Ready soybeans.

Products from GM bacteria

Insulin, human growth hormone, enzymes for food processing, and vaccines.

Products/benefits from GM animals

Faster-growing salmon, disease-resistant livestock, and spider silk proteins from goats.

Products/benefits from GM plants

Higher crop yields, pest-resistant crops (Bt cotton), herbicide-tolerant crops (soybeans), and nutritionally enhanced crops (Golden rice).

Global concerns fostering GMOs

Climate change, rising population, food security, and agricultural challenges like pests and diseases.

Why do we need GMOs?

To manage pests, increase crop yield, enhance nutritional content, improve resistance to climate stress, and reduce the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Producers

Organisms that synthesize their own food (glucose) through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Chemical equation of photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Genetic modification improving the plant life cycle

Improving fruit ripening: Delayed ripening tomatoes (e.g., Flavr Savr). Increasing crop yield: Pest-resistant crops like Bt corn. Enhancing nutritional content: Golden rice enriched with Vitamin A.

DNA

A double-helix molecule storing genetic instructions.

Enzymes

Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required.

Genome

The complete set of DNA in an organism.

DNA Probe

A labeled DNA fragment that binds to a specific sequence.

Microarray

A tool for studying gene expression.

Gene cloning

Creating identical copies of a gene.

PCR

Amplifying DNA sequences.

Recombinant DNA

DNA formed by combining genetic material from different sources.

Mutagenesis

Introducing mutations.

CRISPR

A precise gene-editing tool.

Bacterial vector

Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens to insert or modify plant genes.

Particle bombardment (gene gun)

Shooting DNA-coated particles to insert or modify plant genes.

RNA interference (RNAi)

Silencing specific genes.

Potential risks of GMOs

Allergens, unintended environmental impacts, gene transfer to non-GMO species.

Next-generation GMO research

Research focuses on drought-resistant crops, biofortification, and biopharmaceutical plants.

Ultimate goal of GM crops

Sustainable agriculture to address global food security and environmental challenges.

GMs helping with pest management

Example: Genetically modified mosquitoes to reduce malaria by sterilizing populations.

Fitness trackers

Wearable devices designed to monitor and record physical activity and health metrics.

Benefits of tracking fitness data

Increases motivation for physical activity, tracks progress toward fitness goals, provides insights into sleep, heart rate, and calorie expenditure.

History of fitness trackers - Why 10,000 steps?

The concept originated from a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign for pedometers ('Manpo-kei,' meaning '10,000 steps meter').

Sensors used in fitness trackers

PurePulse, SmartTrack, Barometer.

Why fitness trackers collect specific physiological data

To monitor heart rate, step data, cardio fitness level, heart rate zones, resting and sleeping heart rate.

Personal health insights from fitness trackers

Monitoring heart rate and activity levels helps identify risks for heart disease.

Heart disease

Monitoring heart rate identifies cardiovascular risks.

Resting heart rate

Lower rates indicate better cardiovascular fitness.

Sleep score

Measures quality of sleep for recovery and health.

Calorie intake

Tracking ensures energy balance for health.

Water intake

Proper hydration is essential for bodily functions.

Cells

Basic functional units of life.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells performing specific functions.

Organ systems

Collections of organs working together.

Prokaryotes

Simple cells without a nucleus, like bacteria.

Eukaryotes

Complex cells with a nucleus, like human cells.

Epithelial tissue

Covers body surfaces and lines cavities.

Connective tissue

Supports, binds, and protects other tissues.

Muscle tissue

Facilitates movement through contraction.

Nervous tissue

Transmits signals throughout the body.

Homeostasis

Regulation of internal conditions for stability.

Negative feedback mechanism

System that counteracts changes to maintain balance.

Cardiovascular system

Transports blood and nutrients throughout the body.

Systemic circuit

Delivers oxygenated blood to body tissues.

Pulmonary circuit

Exchanges CO2 for O2 in the lungs.

Respiratory system

Facilitates gas exchange in the body.

Digestive system

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Urinary system

Filters blood and regulates water balance.

Nervous system

Controls body functions via electrical signals.

Endocrine system

Regulates bodily functions through hormones.

Cardio fitness score

Reflects VO2 max and aerobic capacity.

Blood pressure

Systolic over diastolic pressure measurement.

Sleep deprivation

Leads to impaired cognition and weakened immunity.

Speciation

Process by which new species arise.

Allopatric speciation

Species isolation due to geographic barriers.

Sympatric speciation

Species isolation within the same area.

Prezygotic isolating mechanisms

Prevent mating or fertilization between species.

Postzygotic isolating mechanisms

Result in non-viable or sterile offspring.

Mass extinction event

Catastrophic loss of species due to environmental changes.

Background extinction rate

Natural rate of species loss, ~1-5 per year.

Biodiversity

Variety of life, crucial for ecosystem stability.

Taxonomy

Organizes species into groups for identification.

Phylogenetic tree

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Evolutionary timeline

Condensed history of life on Earth.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms with peptidoglycan cell walls.

Archaea

Extremophiles with unique biochemical properties.

Protists

Eukaryotic organisms, including algae and amoebas.

Endosymbiosis

Evolutionary theory explaining organelle origins.

Eukaryotic Supergroups

Major classifications: Excavata, SAR, Archaeplastida, Unikonta.

Fungi

Decomposers with chitin in cell walls.

Hyphae

Filamentous structures making up fungal mycelium.

Mycelium

Network of hyphae in fungi.

Zygomycetes

Fungi group including bread molds.

Basidiomycetes

Fungi group including mushrooms.

Ascomycetes

Fungi group including yeasts.

Plants

Multicellular, photosynthetic organisms with vascular tissue.

Xylem

Vascular tissue transporting water in plants.

Phloem

Vascular tissue transporting nutrients in plants.

Nonvascular Plants

Plants like mosses lacking vascular tissue.

Seedless Vascular Plants

Plants like ferns with vascular tissue but no seeds.

Gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants like conifers.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds.

Invertebrate Animals

Animals without a backbone, diverse structures.

Vertebrate Animals

Animals with a backbone, including chordates.