<<–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
- 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.
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.
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.
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 solve problems or make products. It has a wide range of applications, including agriculture, animal breeding, pharmaceuticals, food technology, and environmental conservation.
Agriculture
One of the most important applications of biotechnology is in agriculture. Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are crops that have been modified using genetic engineering techniques. GM crops have been developed to improve crop yields, increase resistance to pests and diseases, and improve nutritional value.
Biofertilizers are microorganisms that are used to improve Soil-fertility/”>Soil fertility. They can help to increase crop yields by fixing nitrogen from the air, solubilizing phosphorus, and producing Growth HORMONES.
Biopesticides are pesticides that are made from natural materials, such as plants, bacteria, or fungi. They are an alternative to synthetic pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment.
Animal breeding
Biotechnology is also used in animal breeding. Genetically modified animals (GM animals) are animals that have been modified using genetic engineering techniques. GM animals have been developed to improve meat quality, increase milk production, and produce pharmaceuticals.
Cloning is a technique that is used to create genetically identical copies of an organism. It is used in animal breeding to produce animals that are free of genetic defects.
Pharmaceuticals
Biotechnology is also used in the development of pharmaceuticals. Gene therapy is a technique that is used to treat genetic diseases by inserting healthy genes into cells. Recombinant DNA technology is a technique that is used to produce proteins and other molecules from cells. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that are produced by the immune system to fight infection.
Food technology
Biotechnology is also used in food technology. Fermentation-2/”>Fermentation is a process that is used to produce food products, such as yogurt, cheese, and beer. Enzymes are proteins that are used to break down food into smaller molecules. VITAMINS are essential nutrients that are found in food.
Environmental conservation
Biotechnology is also used in environmental conservation. Bioremediation is a process that is used to clean up pollution using living organisms. Biofuels are fuels that are made from renewable Resources, such as plants. Biochar is a charcoal-like material that is made from Biomass/”>Biomass.
Biotechnology is a rapidly developing field with many potential applications. It has the potential to improve our lives in many ways, from providing us with more food to helping us to protect the environment.
However, there are also some concerns about the use of biotechnology. Some people worry that GM crops could harm the environment or that GM animals could escape and become pests. Others worry that the use of biotechnology could lead to the development of new diseases.
It is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks of biotechnology before using it. We need to make sure that we use it in a safe and responsible way so that it can benefit all of us.
Agriculture
-
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or their components to make or modify products, improve plants or animals, or develop new processes for industry or medicine. -
How is biotechnology used in agriculture?
Biotechnology is used in agriculture to improve crop yields, develop new crops, and protect crops from pests and diseases. It is also used to develop new livestock breeds and to improve the quality of meat and milk. -
What are some examples of Biotechnology In Agriculture?
Some examples of biotechnology in agriculture include:-
Genetic engineering: This is the process of inserting genes from one organism into another organism. This can be used to improve crop yields, develop new crops, and protect crops from pests and diseases.
-
Plant breeding: This is the process of selecting plants with desirable traits and breeding them together to produce offspring with those traits. This can be used to develop new crops with improved yields, resistance to pests and diseases, and nutritional value.
-
Animal breeding: This is the process of selecting animals with desirable traits and breeding them together to produce offspring with those traits. This can be used to develop new livestock breeds with improved meat quality, milk production, and disease resistance.
-
-
What are the benefits of using biotechnology in agriculture?
The benefits of using biotechnology in agriculture include:-
Increased crop yields: Biotechnology can be used to develop crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases, which can lead to increased crop yields.
-
Improved crop quality: Biotechnology can be used to develop crops with improved nutritional value, taste, and appearance.
-
Reduced use of pesticides and herbicides: Biotechnology can be used to develop crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, which can reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides.
-
Increased efficiency of livestock production: Biotechnology can be used to develop livestock breeds that are more efficient at converting feed into meat and milk, which can reduce the environmental impact of livestock production.
-
-
What are the risks of using biotechnology in agriculture?
The risks of using biotechnology in agriculture include:-
The potential for new pests and diseases to develop: When new crops or livestock are introduced, there is a risk that new pests and diseases will develop that can attack them.
-
The potential for genetic pollution: When genetically modified organisms are released into the environment, there is a risk that they will cross-pollinate with wild plants or animals, which could lead to the development of new, genetically modified varieties of these organisms.
-
The potential for unintended consequences: When new technologies are introduced, there is always the potential for unintended consequences. This is true for biotechnology as well. For example, it is possible that genetically modified crops could have negative impacts on the environment or human health.
-
-
What are the ethical issues surrounding the use of biotechnology in agriculture?
The ethical issues surrounding the use of biotechnology in agriculture include:-
The use of animals in research: Many of the technologies used in biotechnology were developed through research on animals. Some people believe that it is unethical to use animals in research, even if it leads to the development of technologies that can benefit humans.
-
The potential for human health risks: Some people are concerned that genetically modified foods could pose a risk to human health. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
-
The potential for environmental risks: Some people are concerned that genetically modified crops could pose a risk to the environment. For example, it is possible that genetically modified crops could cross-pollinate with wild plants, which could lead to the development of new, genetically modified varieties of these plants.
-
Animal breeding
-
What is animal breeding?
Animal breeding is the process of selecting animals with desirable traits and breeding them together to produce offspring with those traits. This can be used to develop new livestock breeds with improved meat quality, milk production, and disease resistance. -
What are some examples of animal breeding?
Some examples of animal breeding include:-
Selective breeding: This is the process of selecting animals with desirable traits and breeding them together to produce offspring with those traits. This has been used for centuries to improve the quality of livestock.
-
Artificial insemination: This is the process of artificially inseminating a female animal with semen from a male animal. This can be used to improve the genetic quality of livestock.
-
Embryo transfer: This is the process of transferring an embryo from one female animal to another. This can be used to produce multiple offspring from a single female animal.
-
-
What are the benefits of animal breeding?
The benefits of animal breeding include:-
Improved meat quality: Animal breeding can be used to develop livestock breeds with improved meat quality. This includes breeds with more marbling, which makes the meat more tender and flavorful.
-
Increased milk production: Animal breeding
-
1. Which of the following is not a use of biotechnology in agriculture?
(A) Genetically modified crops
(B) Biofertilizers
(C) Biopesticides
(D) Bioremediation
2. Which of the following is not a use of biotechnology in animal breeding?
(A) Creating new breeds of livestock
(B) Improving the health and welfare of livestock
(C) Increasing the production of meat and milk
(D) Reducing the environmental impact of livestock production
3. Which of the following is not a use of biotechnology in pharmaceuticals?
(A) Developing new drugs
(B) Improving the production of existing drugs
(C) Customizing drugs for individual patients
(D) Treating and preventing diseases
4. Which of the following is not a use of biotechnology in food technology?
(A) Developing new food products
(B) Improving the safety of food
(C) Increasing the shelf life of food
(D) Reducing the environmental impact of food production
5. Which of the following is not a use of biotechnology in environmental conservation?
(A) Bioremediation
(B) Biodegradation
(C) Biofuel production
(D) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Answers
1. (D) Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to clean up pollution. It is not a use of biotechnology in agriculture.
2. (D) Reducing the environmental impact of livestock production is a goal of animal breeding, but it is not a specific use of biotechnology in animal breeding.
3. (C) Customizing drugs for individual patients is a goal of pharmaceuticals, but it is not a specific use of biotechnology in pharmaceuticals.
4. (D) Reducing the environmental impact of food production is a goal of food technology, but it is not a specific use of biotechnology in food technology.
5. (D) GMOs are a specific type of biotechnology that can be used in a variety of applications, including environmental conservation. However, they are not a specific use of biotechnology in environmental conservation.