36 Questions
What is biotechnology?
The application of science and technology to living organisms
What is the primary component of the cell wall in bacteria?
Peptidoglycan
What is a characteristic feature of bacterial cells?
DNA is not contained within a nucleus
What is the size range of bacterial cells?
1 to 5 micrometers
What is a type of microorganism that is not a bacterium?
All of the above
What is the name of the complex polysaccharide and protein substance that makes up the bacterial cell wall?
Peptidoglycan
What is a characteristic of bacterial DNA?
It is circular
What is a type of biotechnology?
All of the above
What is unique about yeast cells compared to bacteria?
Larger genomes
What is the purpose of bioremediation?
To stimulate activities of indigenous microorganisms to clean up pollutants
What occurs during the Lag phase of microbial growth?
Cells synthesize new components necessary for growth
What is the role of microorganisms in biohydrometallurgy?
To extract metals from ores
What is the name of the yeast strain that was the first eukaryotic organism to have its complete genome sequenced?
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
What is the purpose of biomarkers?
To diagnose diseases
What is the primary characteristic of the Exponential (Log) phase of microbial growth?
Microorganisms grow and divide at a constant rate
What is a characteristic of yeast cells that makes them valuable model organisms?
Their chromosome structure similar to human chromosomes
What is the result of the Human Genome Project?
Development of complex maps of human chromosomes
What is the use of S.cerevisiae?
As a product in bread production
What is the name of the yeast strain that is particularly useful for producing proteins at high levels?
Pichia pastoris
What is the purpose of wastewater treatment?
To clean up environmental pollutants
What is unique about the cytoplasm of yeast cells?
It contains a number of membrane-enclosed organelles
What is the role of microorganisms in therapeutic purposes?
To produce proteins such as eritropoietin and interferons
What is a characteristic of yeast cells that distinguishes them from bacteria?
Yeast cells are eukaryotic
What is the purpose of medical biotechnology?
To detect and diagnose diseases
What is one way to measure the number of plant, animal, and microbial species?
Counting the number of individuals in those species
What is a characteristic of biopesticides?
They reduce the risk of resistance development
What is the purpose of biofertilizers?
To promote plant growth by increasing the supply of primary nutrients
What is industrial biotechnology also known as?
White biotechnology
What is one application of biotechnology in industrial sectors?
Using enzymes and microorganisms to make products
What is pollution prevention through source reduction, waste minimization, recycling, and reuse an example of?
Pollution prevention and cleaner production
What is the purpose of genetic engineering in plant biotechnology to create herbicide resistance?
To make crops resistant to common herbicides
What is the benefit of genetically engineering animals to produce leaner growth patterns?
More product
What is the purpose of using genetic engineering to produce golden rice?
To produce larger amounts of beta-carotene
What is the benefit of genetic engineering in animal biotechnology to produce lactoferrin in milk?
Increase nutritional content with higher iron content
What is the purpose of genetic engineering in plant biotechnology to produce vaccines for plants?
To stimulate the plant's immune system
What is the benefit of genetic engineering in animal biotechnology to produce human polyclonal antibodies in cattle?
Production of human polyclonal antibodies
Study Notes
Biotechnology
- Biotechnology is the application of science and technology to living organisms, to products and models of living organisms.
Fields of Biotechnology
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Medical Biotechnology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Animal Biotechnology
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Industrial Biotechnology
Microbial Biotechnology
- Microorganisms, or microbes, are tiny organisms too small to be seen individually by the naked eye.
- Microbes include bacteria, fungi (such as yeast and mold), algae, protozoa, and viruses.
- Bacteria:
- Prokaryotic cells
- Smaller than eukaryotic cells
- Simple structure
- DNA is not contained within a nucleus
- May contain plasmid DNA
- Lack membrane-bound organelles, but have ribosomes
- Cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan
- Yeasts:
- Single-celled eukaryotic microbes
- Belong to the Kingdom Fungi
- Contain membrane-enclosed organelles, a cytoskeleton, and chromosomes similar to human chromosomes
- Larger genomes than most bacteria
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the first eukaryotic organism to have its complete genome sequenced
- Microbial growth:
- Lag phase: Cells synthesize new components necessary for growth
- Exponential phase: Microorganisms grow and divide at a maximal rate
Microorganisms as Tools
- Microbial mining: Use of microbes to extract metals from ores
- Bioremediation: Microbial cleanup of oil, toxic chemicals, or other environmental pollutants
- Wastewater treatment
- Microorganisms as products:
- S. cerevisiae as a product in bread
Medical Biotechnology
- Human Genome Project: Developed complex maps showing the locations of normal and diseased genes on human chromosomes
- Detection and diagnosis of diseases:
- Biomarkers: Indicators of diseases
- Searching for better biomarkers for early detection and disease diagnosis
Plant Biotechnology
- Vaccines for plants: Protein produced from the viral gene stimulates the plant’s immune system
- Genetic pesticides (Bt genes)
- Herbicide resistance
- Enhanced nutrition (Golden rice)
Animal Biotechnology
- Genetic engineering to improve agriculture, industrial, or pharmaceutical applications
- Cloning (e.g., Dolly)
- Faster growth rates or leaner growth patterns
- Healthier products (e.g., lower-cholesterol eggs)
- Increase nutritional content (e.g., lactoferrin in milk)
- Production of human polyclonal antibodies in cattle plasma
Environmental Biotechnology
- Biofertilizers: Substances containing living microorganisms that promote plant growth
- Pollution prevention and cleaner production:
- Source reduction
- Waste minimization
- Recycling and reuse
- Biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas)
- Bioplastics/biopolymers (PLA, PHB)
- Enzymes
- Biosurfactants
Industrial Biotechnology
- Use of biotechnology for sustainable processing and production of chemicals, materials, and fuels
- Biotechnological processing uses enzymes and microorganisms/cells to make products in various industrial sectors
Introduction to biotechnology, its definition, and fields such as microbial and medical biotechnology. Covers the application of science and technology to living organisms.
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