Biotechnology Chapter 16: Changing the Living World

Biotechnology

• Biotechnology involves the manipulation of DNA to create new organisms or products
• Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can be used to transfer genetic material between organisms
• EcoRI is a restriction site that can be used to cut DNA, and ampr and tetr are genetic markers
• ori is the origin of replication, where DNA replication begins

Genetic Engineering

• Genetic engineering involves the use of recombinant DNA to create new organisms or products
• DNA is copied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which involves heating DNA to separate strands, cooling and binding primers, and then adding nucleotides to create new strands
• Recombinant DNA is DNA from different sources that has been joined together
• Transgenic organisms are created by inserting recombinant DNA into an organism's genome

Applications of Biotechnology

• Biotechnology can be used to improve agriculture and industry by creating genetically modified (GM) crops and animals that are more productive and efficient
• GM crops can produce higher yields, reduce food costs, and reduce land use and chemical usage
• Biotechnology can also be used to improve human health by creating new medicines and treatments
• Genetic testing can be used to identify individuals and diagnose genetic disorders
• Gene therapy can be used to treat genetic disorders by replacing or repairing faulty genes

Ethics and Impacts of Biotechnology

• Biotechnology raises several ethical issues, including privacy concerns and the potential for genetic discrimination
• Patenting life molecules and biotechnology procedures can be controversial, as it raises questions about who owns genetic information
• Genetic privacy is a concern, as DNA can reveal private information about an individual
• The ethics of biotechnology are complex and require careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks

Selective Breeding

• Selective breeding involves breeding organisms with desired traits to create new varieties
• This can be done through hybridization, inbreeding, and increasing genetic variation through methods such as bacterial mutations and polyploid plants
• Selective breeding can be used to improve agriculture and industry by creating more productive and efficient crops and animals

Review Questions

• What are some of the potential benefits and risks of biotechnology?
• How can biotechnology be used to improve agriculture and industry?
• What are some of the ethical issues surrounding biotechnology?
• How can genetic testing be used to improve human health?
• What is gene therapy, and how can it be used to treat genetic disorders?

This quiz covers the basics of selective breeding, including its uses, methods, and how to increase genetic variation. Learn about hybridization, inbreeding, and more in this chapter 16 review of biotechnology.