Chapter 16 Lesson 1 Quiz: Changing the Living World Biotechnology

Study Notes

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 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

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

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 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