BIOTECH: Investigate the uses and applications of biotechnology (past, present and future)

• Biotechnology


  Use of biological materials (bio) or their products as tools (technology) to fulfil human needs
• Biotechnology


  Any technology that exploits biological processes, biological products, or living organisms for use in medicine, agriculture, industry or food production
• Biotechnology


  • Production of transgenic species
  • Selective breeding of plants and animals in agriculture
  • Food production (bread, yoghurt, cheese)
  • Cell products (such as enzymes or antibiotics)
• Ancient biotechnology


  • Used for thousands of years without a full understanding of biological and biochemical processes involved
• Ancient biotechnologyexamples


  • Yeast used to make bread and in the fermentation of beer and wine
  • Foods such as yoghurt and cheese produced using bacterial cultures
  • Medicinal use of biological processes and organisms
• Ancient medicinal useexamples


  • Honey used by Ancient Egyptians to treat wounds and infections
  • Acupuncture used by Ancient Chinese to provide pain relief and other therapeutic effects (due to release of endorphins)
• Ancient agriculture examples


  1. Selecting seeds from the best crops

  2. Breeding the best quality animals
• Farming and agricultural revolution began in the Middle East approximately 10000 years ago
• Artificial selection


  Human manipulation of living organisms
• Artificial pollination


  • Chinese in Hanyuan County hand-pollinating apple and pear trees due to decline in bee populations
• Cross-breeding


  • Variety of common crops such as rice, corn and wheat
• Domestication


  • Cattle, sheep and chickens for meat and dairy products
  • Oxen for farm labour
• Modern biotechnology


  Advanced with the discovery of DNA and its subsequent manipulation at the molecular level
• Gene technology


  Manipulation of DNA to create products for human use
• Genetic engineering


  Use of a range of molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing, DNA profiling, gene cloning, genetically modifying organisms to change the genotype and thus the phenotype of an organism to fulfil human needs
• Genetic engineering


  • Artificial insemination
  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
  • Transgenics - inserting human genes into bacteria
• Cloning


  Process of producing genetically identical organisms or cells from a single ancestor