Introduction to Biotechnology

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, history, color classifications, and common techniques in biotechnology based on Lecture 2.

Kárl Ereky

The scientist who coined the term 'biotechnology' in 1919 to describe processes using living organisms to make a product or run a process.

Biotechnology (Etymological Definition)

Derived from the Greek words 'bios' (life) and 'logos' (study of or essence), literally meaning 'the study of tools from living things'.

OECD Definition of Biotechnology

Defined in 2005 as 'the application of science and technology to living organisms, as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods, and services.'

U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Definition of Biotechnology

Defines biotechnology as 'the controlled use of biological agents, such as microorganisms or cellular components, in manufacturing.'

European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) Definition of Biotechnology

Defines biotechnology as 'the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services.'

White Biotechnology

Also known as Industrial Biotechnology; refers to the application of biotechnology in industrial processes.

Red Biotechnology

Referred to as Medical Biotechnology; deals with the production of drugs and antibiotic medicines.

Green Biotechnology

Biotechnology applied to the agricultural sector, such as creating transgenic plants with modified DNA to grow in specific environments.

Blue Biotechnology

Biotechnology that utilizes marine and aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and sponges.

Gold Biotechnology

Also known as Bioinformatics or computational biology; combines computers and biotechnology to analyze biological data for functional genomics, structural genomics, and proteomics.

Yellow Biotechnology

Refers to biotechnology used in food production (e.g., producing wine, cheese, and beer via fermentation) as well as applications related to insects.

Brown Biotechnology

Biotechnology related to the management of arid lands and deserts, such as engineering seeds that resist extreme environmental conditions.

Violet Biotechnology

Refers to the study and management of law, ethical issues, and philosophical aspects surrounding biotechnology.

Louis Pasteur

Known as 'The father of Microbiology and father of Industrial Biotechnology'; discovered that yeast produces alcohol in wine and rod-shaped bacteria produce acetic acid, causing souring.

Alexander Fleming

The scientist who discovered the antibiotic penicillin in 1929.

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

A field in which biotechnology principles are applied to design and produce biopharmaceutical drugs tailored to an individual's genetic makeup for maximum therapeutic effect.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique used to replicate and amplify multiple copies of specific DNA segments using primers and thermostable enzymes such as Taq polymerase.

Restriction Enzymes

Also called molecular scissors or restriction endonucleases; enzymes that cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences, generating fragments of varying sizes.

Gel Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate DNA fragments, RNA, or proteins based on their size and electric charge by running an electric current through a gel matrix.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that forms covalent bonds between nucleotide chains, used to create recombinant DNA strands or seal circular DNA cut by restriction enzymes.