Biotechnology and its Applications in Agriculture

Plants, bacteria, fungi and animals that have had their genes altered by manipulation.

An insecticidal protein produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Used to create pest-resistant crops.

Genetically modified crops that produce Bt toxin, providing insect resistance.

Environmental conditions like cold, drought, salt, and heat that negatively impact plants.

Genetically modified crops engineered to resist pests and insects.

A bacterium that produces proteins toxic to certain insects.

Altering the genetic material (DNA) of an organism by transferring genes.

A hybrid plant combining tomato and potato characteristics.

A genetic disorder where the body lacks the enzyme ADA, leading to a buildup of toxic substances that disrupt the immune system.

A procedure where healthy bone marrow cells are transplanted into a patient's body to replace faulty cells.

A treatment where a missing or malfunctioning enzyme is provided to the patient through injections.

A treatment that involves inserting a functional ADA gene into a patient's cells to correct the deficiency.

A type of gene therapy where ADA gene is introduced into lymphocytes, which are then returned to the patient.

Introducing the ADA gene into cells at the very early stages of embryonic development for a permanent cure.

Inactive Bt toxin, ingested by insects, is converted into an active toxin form via the alkaline gut environment. This activated toxin then creates pores in the midgut cells, leading to cell swelling and eventual insect death.

Genes isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis and incorporated into crop plants to create pest resistance.

Using advanced techniques like PCR and ELISA to detect specific DNA sequences or proteins at low concentrations.

A technique that amplifies specific regions of DNA, allowing for the detection of minute amounts of genetic material.

Different Bt toxins target different insect groups. The specific gene used depends on the targeted pest and crop.

A cellular defense mechanism in eukaryotic organisms, where a double-stranded RNA molecule silences a specific mRNA, preventing protein translation.

A parasitic nematode (Meloidegyne incognitia) infecting tobacco roots, causing significant yield reduction.

Using RNAi, nematode-specific genes were incorporated into plants to produce both sense and anti-sense RNA. These complementary RNAs create dsRNA, silencing nematode-specific mRNA and preventing nematode survival.

Used to introduce DNA into host plants, in this case to deliver the RNAi process for nematode resistance.

A type of RNA that plays a crucial role in RNA interference (RNAi) by silencing the expression of specific mRNAs.

Insulin, a hormone in mammals, is initially created as a pro-hormone containing an extra segment (C-peptide). This C-peptide is removed during maturation to produce the active insulin.

A major difficulty in producing insulin through rDNA (recombinant DNA) technology is ensuring that the insulin protein folds correctly into its active form.

Eli Lilly produced human insulin by separately creating the A and B chains using rDNA technology, isolating them, and then joining them together chemically with disulfide bonds to form the complete mature protein.

Gene therapy is a method aimed at correcting genetic disorders by introducing healthy genes into cells or tissues to replace or compensate for faulty ones.

Gene therapy addresses hereditary diseases by delivering a functional gene into an individual or embryo to compensate for a non-functional gene.

The first clinical gene therapy was administered in 1990 to a child with ADA deficiency.

A hereditary disease caused by deletion of the gene coding for adenosine deaminase, crucial for the immune system function.

An inactive form of a hormone that needs processing to become active.

A cow genetically modified to produce human protein-enriched milk, like Rosie, which produced milk containing human alpha-lactalbumin.

Genetically modified mice used to test the safety of vaccines before human trials, potentially replacing monkeys in testing.

Genetically modified animals made more sensitive to toxic substances, used to test the safety of chemicals quicker than non-transgenic animals.

Indian government organization responsible for approving genetic engineering research and the safe introduction of GMOs for public use.

The moral implications of manipulating living organisms, including potential unpredictable effects on ecosystems and the use of genetic resources.

Companies have patents on GMOs and their products, leading to concerns about control over genetic resources and access to technology.

The effects of introducing genetically modified organisms into the environment can be unpredictable and may harm natural ecosystems.

Genetically modified organisms are used to produce food and medicine, raising concerns about the ethical implications of using living organisms for public services.

The unauthorized exploitation of biological resources and traditional knowledge, usually by multinational companies, without proper authorization or compensation from the source country or community.

An American company obtained a patent for a new variety of Basmati rice, claiming it as an invention, despite it being derived from existing Indian varieties.

The accumulated wisdom and practices of indigenous communities regarding the use, management, and understanding of natural resources.

Biological materials, organisms, or ecosystems that are valuable for their medicinal, agricultural, or industrial applications.

A legal right granted to an inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a specific period.

The variety of life on Earth, encompassing all species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity.

The equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of biological resources and traditional knowledge.

A legal update addressing biopiracy concerns, aiming to protect traditional knowledge and bio-resources from unauthorized exploitation.