Benefits of Biotechnology

Flashcards covering the definitions, history, DNA structure, and medical, industrial, and agricultural applications of biotechnology.

Biotechnology (Applied Biology)

The application of biological knowledge and techniques to develop products and solve problems.

Classical Biotechnology

Traditional biotechnology involving the selection and domestication of animals and fermentation to promote food production.

Advanced Biotechnology

Biotechnology that manipulates genetic information in an organism, specifically through genetic engineering.

Organismic Biotechnology

A branch of biotechnology that uses intact organisms and does not alter genetic material.

Molecular Biotechnology

A branch of biotechnology that alters genetic makeup to achieve specific goals.

Transgenic Organism

An organism with artificially altered genetic material.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The molecule that determines the characteristics of all living organisms, composed of a four-letter nucleotide alphabet: $A$, $T$, $C$, and $G$.

Genome

The totality of DNA composition of an organism, packaged in a peculiar number of chromosomes.

DNA Extraction

The first step in many biotechnology laboratory procedures, meant to obtain DNA in a relatively purified form without denaturing it.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory method used to amplify a specific DNA sequence involving denaturation at $94^{\circ}C$, annealing of primers ($37-65^{\circ}C$), and extension ($70-75^{\circ}C$).

Taq Polymerase

A heat-resistant DNA polymerase derived from $\text{Thermus aquaticus}$ used in PCR extension.

Red Biotech

The application of modern biotechnology in medicine, such as vaccines and hormones like insulin for diabetes.

White/Grey Biotech

The application of modern biotechnology in industry, such as cleaning up oil spills or converting organic waste.

Green Biotech

The application of modern biotechnology in agriculture to create improved varieties of major crops like maize, soya bean, and cotton.

Bt Corn

A transgenic crop into which a gene from $\text{Bacillus thuringiensis}$ is inserted to kill pests like the European corn borer when they feed on the plant.

Herbicide Resistance

A trait in crops like Glyphosate resistant Soybean, Maize, Canola, and Cotton that allows them to survive herbicide application.

Flavr-Savr

An extended shelf-life tomato engineered to store longer while maintaining physical appearance and taste.

Golden Rice

A variety of rice engineered to have higher than normal levels of beta-carotene ($\text{precursor to Vitamin A}$) and Iron.

Probiotics

Live microorganisms, usually bacteria, added to foods like yoghurt that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut.

Biotech Chymosin

An enzyme used to curdle milk products that can now be produced in the lab rather than being derived from animals.

Biosafety

Regulatory systems and risk analysis procedures designed for proper risk assessment, mitigation, and communication of genetically engineered products.

Cartagena Protocol

An international agreement adopted on January 29, 2000, addressing the safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs).

mPCR (Multiplex PCR)

A technique used for the simultaneous detection of multiple food-borne pathogens, such as $\text{Salmonella}$, $\text{Shigella}$, and $\text{Yersinia pseudotuberculosis}$.

GeXP Method

A rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput PCR assay for parallel analysis of six food-borne pathogens in a single reaction without an enrichment step.

A company uses bacteria to produce insulin for diabetic patients. Is this biotechnology? Why?

Yes, because living organisms are used to produce a useful medical product.

What is the difference between classical biotechnology and advanced biotechnology?

Classical biotechnology:

• Traditional methods

• Includes fermentation, domestication, selective breeding

• Does NOT directly manipulate genes

Advanced biotechnology:

• Manipulates genetic material directly

• Uses genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology

What type of biotechnology is brewing beer using yeast and producing Bt maize using inserted genes, respectively?

Brewing beer using yeast
→ Classical biotechnology

Producing Bt maize using inserted genes
→ Advanced biotechnology

Why??