Introduction to Biotech
What is Biotechnology?
Use of technology to change the genetic makeup of living things in order to produce useful products
What does GMO stand for?
Genetically Modified Organism
What is Animal Biotech
A field that uses molecular biology techniques to genetically engineer animals
What is agricultural biotechnology
The use of genetic engineering to improve crop yield and resistance
What is biofuel
Name to biotechnology methods
Gene Cloning and Polymerase
What is Gene Cloning?
A process of isolating and making copies of a gene?
What is the purpose of animal biotechnology?
Animal biotechnology improves the food we eat as well as enhances the ability to detect and treat diseases.
Define selective breeding
The process of breeding organisms with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits
Name a product that is specifically used for biofuels
•United States- switchgrass, soybeans and corn
•Brazil-sugar cane
•Europe- sugar beet and wheat
•China- cassava and sorghum
•Asia- miscanthus and palm oil
•India- jatropha
What is CRISPR?
CRISPR is a powerful gene-editing technology for precise DNA changes
What are the 4 steps of Gene Cloning?
Isolation, Ligation, Transformation, and Selection
What are some benefits of animal biotechnology?
Advances in human health
Improved animal health and welfare
Enhancements to animal products
Environmental and conservation
How are plants genetically modified?
An already modified bacteria is used to infect a plant and change its genetic make up
What is Biomass
Dead organic matter
•Examples: kernels of corn, mats of algae, stalks of sugar cane
What was the purpose of the Human Genome Project?
An international effort to map all the genes in human DNA
Define what a GMO is
An organism whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering
Define the term "Sticky Ends"
short, single stranded sections of DNA that result from cutting DNA with a restriction enzyme
What is the importance of plant biotech
Agriculture, Healthcare, Industry, and Environment
Name applications of biofuels
•Transportation
–Leading application because vehicles require clean, dense, high power fuels in a liquid state
–Liquids can be easily pumped and stored
•Power Generation
–solid biomass fuel like wood
•Heat
What is one impact of medical biotechnology?
New Treatments
Personalized Medicine
Name an example of Genetic Engineering
Gene Cloning
List the steps of modifying an animal
1. A fertilized cell must be used
2. The foreign DNA is inserted into a nucleus using restriction enzymes and sticky ends
3. The egg is implanted in a female
4. The female gives birth to a transgenetic organism
Name some applications of biotech in agriculture
GMO crops
Insect Resistance
Herbicide Tolerant
Better Nutritional content
Abiotic Stress Tolerance
How are biomasses renewable?
Biofuels are produced from biomass or bio waste, which can be replenished year after year through sustainable farming practices