Biotechnology and its applications

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<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/biotechnology/”>Biotechnology and its Applications

Biotechnology is defined as the industrial application of living organisms and their biological processes such as biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic engineering, in order to make best use of the Microorganisms for the benefit of mankind. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.

Biotechnology began in the 1970s after the development of genetic engineering that allowed scientists to modify the genetic material of living cells. Genetic engineering is the manipulation of DNA Molecules to produce modified Plants, animals, or other organisms. DNA is the part of a cell that controls the genetic information of an animal or plant. DNA is a double-stranded molecule that is present in every cell of an organism. The genetic information is contained in individual units or sections of DNA called genes. The genes that are passed from parent to offspring determine the traits that the offspring will have.

Applications of Biotechnology

  1. Health and medicine

Fighting infectious diseases : Biotechnology is used extensively in the study of infectious diseases such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and influenza. As a result more effective pharmaceuticals have been developed.

Development of Vaccines and antibiotics : Using technology, microorganisms are used to develop antibiotics and vaccines to cure diseases. For example, bacteria Bacillus polymysea is used to produce polymyxin B (antibiotic used to cure urinary tract infections), fungus Penicillium notatum is used to produce penicillin (used to cure pneumonia, and many other bacterial infections.)

Treating genetic disorders : Disease can occur when genes become defective due to mutations. With advancements in biotechnology, in the near future it will be possible to use gene therapy to replace an abnormal or faulty gene with a normal copy of the same gene. It may be used to treat ailments such as heart disease, inherited diseases such as SCID, and Thalassaemia.

In forensic science : A lot of New techniques have been developed such as DNA fingerprinting, besides having a number of other applications which have facilitated the speedy identification of the criminals.

  1. Environment

Cleaning up and managing the environment : Cleaning up the environment using living organisms is called bioremediation. Naturally occurring, as well as genetically modified microorganisms, such as bacteria, Fungi and ENZYMES are used to break down toxic and hazardous substances present in the environment.

  1. agriculture

Biotechnology has also made possible the production of crops improved disease resistan; herbicide-toleran and insecticide-resistan. Plants with improved nutritional value for Livestock have also been obtained through biotechnology.

Control of pests : One application of biotechnology is in the control of insect pests. The genetic make-up of the pest is changed by causing some mutations. These pests become sterile and do not reproduce further.

Manufacturing and bio-processing : With the help of new biological techniques it has become possible to grow, the plants that produce compounds for use in detergents, paints, lubricants and plastics on large scale.

Food and drinks : Biotechnology, has also made the processing of foods and their products easier. Preservation and storing of food for consumption later has become easy and cheap with the help of biotechnology. Seedless grapes and seedless citrus fruits have been developed using biotechnology.

 

 

  1. Industry

Biotechnology has been used in the industry to produce new products for human consumption. Food additives have been developed which help in the preservation of food. Microorganisms are used in the mass production of items such as cheese, yoghurt, and alcohol.,

Biotechnology is the application of biological processes and organisms to develop or make products, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific uses. Biotechnology has a wide range of applications in agriculture, medicine, energy, environment, and industry.

Agriculture

Biotechnology has revolutionized agriculture, making it possible to produce more food with less land, water, and pesticides. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals that have been modified using biotechnology. GMOs are used to improve crop yields, make crops resistant to pests or diseases, and improve the nutritional value of food. Biofertilizers are microorganisms that are used to improve Soil-fertility/”>Soil fertility. Biopesticides are pesticides that are made from natural materials, such as plants or bacteria. Plant Tissue Culture is a technique that is used to grow plants from small pieces of tissue. Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to clean up pollution.

Medicine

Biotechnology is used to develop new drugs and therapies for diseases. Gene therapy is a technique that is used to correct genetic defects. Recombinant DNA technology is a technique that is used to insert genes from one organism into another organism. Tissue engineering is a technique that is used to create new Tissues or organs. Stem Cell Research is the study of stem cells, which are cells that have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the body. Vaccines are preparations that are used to protect against diseases. Pharmaceuticals are drugs that are used to treat or prevent diseases.

Energy

Biotechnology is used to develop new sources of energy, such as biofuels, biogas, and biohydrogen. Biofuels are fuels that are made from renewable Resources, such as plants. Biogas is a gas that is produced from the decomposition of organic matter. Biohydrogen is a gas that is produced from the Fermentation-2/”>Fermentation of organic matter.

Environment

Biotechnology is used to clean up pollution, develop new ways to produce energy, and protect the environment. Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to clean up pollution. Waste Management is the process of collecting and disposing of waste. Pollution control is the process of preventing or reducing pollution. Climate-change-mitigation/”>Climate Change Mitigation is the process of reducing the effects of climate change.

Industry

Biotechnology is used to develop new products, improve existing products, and create new processes. Bioplastics are plastics that are made from renewable resources, such as plants. Biodegradable polymers are polymers that can be broken down by living organisms. Biocomposites are materials that are made from a combination of biological and non-biological materials. Biorefineries are facilities that use Biomass/”>Biomass to produce fuels, chemicals, and other products. Biofuels are fuels that are made from renewable resources, such as plants.

Other

Biotechnology is used in a variety of other fields, such as forensics, cosmetics, Food Processing, animal feed, biosecurity, and bioethics. Forensics is the use of science to solve crimes. Cosmetics are products that are used to improve the appearance of the skin, hair, and nails. Food processing is the process of converting raw food into products that are ready to eat. Animal feed is food that is given to animals to eat. Biosecurity is the protection of biological resources from harm. Bioethics is the study of the ethical issues that arise from the use of biotechnology.

Biotechnology is a rapidly growing field with a wide range of applications. It has the potential to improve our lives in many ways, but it also raises some ethical concerns. It is important to be aware of the potential benefits and risks of biotechnology so that we can make informed decisions about its use.

What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the application of biological processes and organisms to develop or make products, or to modify existing products.

What are the different types of biotechnology?

There are many different types of biotechnology, but some of the most common include:

  • Agricultural biotechnology: This type of biotechnology is used to improve crops and livestock. For example, agricultural biotechnology can be used to develop crops that are resistant to pests or diseases, or to livestock that is more efficient at producing meat or milk.
  • Medical biotechnology: This type of biotechnology is used to develop new drugs and therapies. For example, medical biotechnology can be used to develop new antibiotics to fight infections, or to develop new drugs to treat cancer.
  • Industrial biotechnology: This type of biotechnology is used to produce industrial products, such as biofuels, chemicals, and materials. For example, industrial biotechnology can be used to produce ethanol from corn, or to produce nylon from bacteria.

What are the benefits of biotechnology?

Biotechnology has many benefits, including:

  • Improved health: Biotechnology has led to the development of new drugs and therapies that have improved the health of millions of people. For example, biotechnology has led to the development of new antibiotics to fight infections, and new drugs to treat cancer.
  • Increased food production: Biotechnology has led to the development of new crops and livestock that are more efficient at producing food. This has helped to increase food production and reduce hunger around the world.
  • Reduced environmental impact: Biotechnology can be used to develop products that are less harmful to the environment. For example, biotechnology can be used to develop biofuels that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

What are the risks of biotechnology?

Biotechnology also has some risks, including:

  • The potential for accidents: Biotechnology facilities can be dangerous if there is an accident. For example, a release of genetically modified organisms could have a negative impact on the environment.
  • The potential for misuse: Biotechnology could be misused for harmful purposes, such as developing biological weapons.
  • The potential for ethical concerns: Some people have ethical concerns about the use of biotechnology, such as the use of human embryos in research.

What is the future of biotechnology?

Biotechnology is a rapidly developing field with many potential applications. The future of biotechnology is likely to be very bright, with new and innovative applications being developed all the time.

  1. Which of the following is not a branch of biotechnology?
    (A) Genetic engineering
    (B) Bioremediation
    (C) Biofuel production
    (D) Bioethics

  2. Which of the following is not a tool used in biotechnology?
    (A) PCR
    (B) Restriction enzymes
    (C) Gel electrophoresis
    (D) DNA sequencing

  3. Which of the following is not a product of biotechnology?
    (A) Insulin
    (B) Human Growth hormone
    (C) Aspartame
    (D) Antibiotics

  4. Which of the following is not an application of biotechnology?
    (A) Agriculture
    (B) Medicine
    (C) Environmental remediation
    (D) Food processing

  5. Which of the following is not a risk associated with biotechnology?
    (A) The creation of new diseases
    (B) The accidental release of genetically modified organisms
    (C) The misuse of biotechnology for military purposes
    (D) The loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity

  6. Which of the following is not a benefit of biotechnology?
    (A) The development of new drugs and therapies
    (B) The improvement of crop yields
    (C) The cleanup of pollution
    (D) The creation of new products

  7. Which of the following is not a ethical issue associated with biotechnology?
    (A) The use of human embryos in research
    (B) The patenting of life forms
    (C) The use of animals in research
    (D) The use of genetically modified organisms in food

  8. Which of the following is not a regulation governing biotechnology?
    (A) The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
    (B) The Convention on Biological Diversity
    (C) The European Union Directive on Genetically Modified Organisms
    (D) The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  9. Which of the following is not a goal of the biotechnology industry?
    (A) To develop new drugs and therapies
    (B) To improve crop yields
    (C) To cleanup pollution
    (D) To create new products

  10. Which of the following is not a challenge facing the biotechnology industry?
    (A) The cost of research and development
    (B) The regulation of biotechnology products
    (C) The public’s perception of biotechnology
    (D) The competition from other industries