Biotech Basics
What is Biotechnology?
the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes
What is an enzyme?
This common type of biotech food is made with helpful bacteria and includes products like yogurt and kimchi.
Fermented food
This famous sheep, born in 1996, was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.
Dolly the sheep
This is the molecule that stores genetic information in all living organisms.
DNA
This tool cuts DNA at specific sequences and is often called "molecular scissors.
Restriction enzyme
Thanks to biotechnology, this hormone used to treat diabetes is now made using bacteria instead of animals.
Insulin
In biotechnology labs, scientists use this small bacterium, E. coli, to make medicines and proteins. Why?
Because it grows & reproduces quickly and is easy to modify
This is the term for an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
This circular DNA molecule found in bacteria is often used to transfer genes.
(Bacterial) Plasmid
Scientists are using biotechnology to help grow these in labs, which could one day reduce the need for organ donors.
Artificial / lab-grown organs
Why is the strawberry commonly used in biotech experiments?
it has 8 copies of every chromosome
This is the process of inserting a gene from one organism into another to give it new traits.
genetic engineering
This gene-editing tool can edit specific parts of DNA and was adapted from a bacterial defense system.
CRISPR-Cas9
This method is used to quickly test for viruses like COVID-19 by detecting their genetic material.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing
DNA is often called the blueprint of life. What does each letter in "DNA" stand for?
Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid
Line these in order from smallest to biggest:
DNA, Genome, Chromosome, Gene
Gene, DNA, Chromosome, Genome
This technique separates DNA fragments by size using electricity.
Gel electrophoresis
This controversial biotech method can be used to alter the genes of human embryos.
Germline gene editing
Who discovered the double-helix structure of DNA?