GCSE Biology – Biotechnology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and concepts from the GCSE Biology revision notes on biotechnology, genetic modification, cloning, and selective breeding.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms or biological processes to produce useful products.

Genetic modification

When scientists directly change an organism's DNA by inserting a useful gene.

vector

Used to get the DNA into a new cell

Transgenic organism

An organism that contains a gene from a different species.

Plasmid

A small circular piece of DNA found in bacteria.

Restriction enzyme

An enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sequences.

DNA ligase

An enzyme that joins pieces of DNA together.

Recombinant DNA

DNA formed when DNA from two different sources is joined together.

Selective breeding

When humans choose organisms with desirable characteristics and breed them together.

Cloning

Producing genetically identical copies of an organism.

Clone

An organism that is genetically identical to another organism.

Micropropagation

A method of cloning plants to produce large numbers of genetically identical plants quickly.

Explant

A small piece of plant tissue taken from a parent plant.

In vitro

A process that takes place outside a living organism, usually in a laboratory.

Agar

A jelly-like substance used to make a solid nutrient growth medium.

Mitosis

Cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells.

Fermenter

A large container used to grow microorganisms on a large scale.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

When an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the woman's body in a laboratory.

Fertilisation

When the nucleus of a sperm cell joins with the nucleus of an egg cell.

Genetic variation

Differences in characteristics between individuals of the same species.

Nutrient growth medium

A substance containing nutrients needed for cells or tissues to grow.

Biodiversity

The variety of different living organisms.

Embryo

An early stage of development after fertilisation or cell division.

Sterile

Free from microorganisms.