Biotechnology and genetic modification

• Biotechnology involves using living organisms like bacteria or cells to create useful products or solve problems
• An example of biotechnology is making bread using yeast, where yeast helps dough rise by producing tiny bubbles
• Genetic modification is the process of changing the DNA of living organisms, like plants or animals, to give them specific traits or abilities
• Bacteria are commonly used in biotechnology and genetic modification due to their rapid reproduction rate and ability to produce complex molecules
• Bacteria are preferred in biotechnology due to limited ethical concerns over their manipulation and growth, as well as the presence of plasmids
• Plasmids are small circular pieces of DNA in bacteria that can be easily manipulated to add or modify specific genes
• Products made with biotechnology include biofuels, bread, fruit juice, biological washing powders, lactose-free milk, insulin, penicillin, and mycoprotein
• Anaerobic respiration in yeast involves the conversion of glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing energy
• Biofuels are environmentally friendly fuels made from plants or waste, with ethanol produced through anaerobic respiration by yeast
• Yeast in bread production undergoes anaerobic respiration to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that make the dough rise
• Pectinase is an enzyme used in fruit juice production to break down pectin in plant cell walls, making it easier to extract juice
• Biological washing powders contain enzymes like protease and lipase to break down stains like proteins and fats
• Lactase is used to make lactose-free milk by breaking down lactose into simpler sugars, making it easier to digest for lactose intolerant individuals
• Fermenters are large containers used by bacteria and fungi to produce useful products on a large scale
• Insulin, penicillin, and mycoprotein are examples of products made in fermenters using bacteria or fungi
• Fermenters provide a controlled environment for microorganisms to grow and produce valuable products
• Conditions in a fermenter that need to be controlled include temperature, pH, oxygen levels, nutrient supply, and waste product management
• Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits or characteristics.
• Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis in the cell.
• The nucleus is the control center of the cell and contains the genetic material.
• La première étape de la succession est généralement caractérisée par une abondance de plantes pionnières, qui peuvent survivre dans des conditions difficiles telles que la lumière directe du soleil et la sécheresse.
• DNA replication is semi-conservative, meaning that each parent DNA molecule provides one of the new copies' strands.
• The enzyme DNA Polymerase III facilitates DNA replication by synthesizing new DNA strands from the existing double-stranded DNA.
• DNA replication occurs in the S-phase of the cell cycle and ensures that each daughter cell receives an exact copy of the original DNA during cell division.
• The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing DNA.
• Chromosomes are long strands of DNA that carry genetic information.
• The structure of DNA consists of two strands twisted together to form a double helix shape.
• The nucleus is the control center of the cell where genetic information is stored.
• Mitochondria generate energy through respiration.
• Chloroplasts convert sunlight into chemical energy during photosynthesis.
• Each base pair in DNA contains one purine and one pyrimidine nucleotide.
• Les plantes pionnières sont souvent petites et ont un cycle de vie court, ce qui leur permet d'utiliser les ressources disponibles rapidement avant qu'elles ne soient utilisées par d'autres espèces.
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes used by cells to break down food particles.
• In eukaryotic cells, ribosomes are found both free in the cytoplasm and attached to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Genetic modification involves changing the DNA of living things like plants or animals to give them specific traits or abilities
• The process of genetic modification involves:

  1. Isolation of the desired gene (e.g., the gene for insulin)

  2. Cutting the gene using restriction enzymes

  3. Cutting a bacterial plasmid using the same restriction enzymes

  4. Joining the human gene with the cut plasmid DNA using DNA ligase to create a recombinant plasmid

  5. Inserting the recombinant plasmid into bacteria

  6. Allowing the bacteria to multiply, carrying the modified genetic material

  7. Bacteria using the inserted human gene to produce the desired protein (e.g., insulin)
• Examples of genetic modification applications include:

  • Inserting human genes into bacteria to produce human proteins like insulin
  • Adding genes to crop plants for herbicide resistance or insect pest resistance
  • Improving the nutritional qualities of crop plants
• Advantages of genetically modifying crops:

  • Improved yield to feed more people
  • Healthier food with enhanced nutritional content
  • Better for the environment by reducing the need for harmful chemicals
• Disadvantages of genetically modifying crops:

  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Potential gene mixing with regular crops
  • Increased costs for farmers who may need to buy seeds from a few large companies
• Genetic modification involves changing the DNA of living things like plants or animals to give them specific traits or abilities