Biotechnology Definition and Applications

Biotechnology Definition

• Biotechnology is the application of biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives to make or modify products or processes for specific use.

Biotechnology Applications

• Uses microorganisms to produce antibiotics, such as penicillin, and dairy products, like yoghurt.
• Employed to produce amino acids and enzymes.
• Helps meet basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, health, and safety.
• Also used to maintain a good environment that promotes well-being.

Biotechnology Characteristics

• Multidisciplinary in nature, involving input from engineering, computer science, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, virology, and recombinant DNA technology.
• Involves genetic manipulation of bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants, and animals for product development.

Types of Biotechnology

• Use of living organisms to solve problems and make useful products, such as crop plants and farm animals, and yeast for bread production.
• Many types of technology that use cells, proteins, genetics, and other fields, including health care, agriculture, genetics, and food science.

Selective Breeding

• Breeding selected organisms to get offspring with certain traits, a centuries-old farming practice.

Hybrid

• A cross between two different species, such as a mule from a donkey and horse.

Genetically Modified Organisms

• Organisms whose genes have been changed, used for herbicide-resistant corn, making medicines, treating diseases, and improving crops.
• Examples include making insulin for diabetic patients.

Genome

• The entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell, consisting of 23 pairs of chromosomes in the cell's nucleus and a small chromosome in the cell's mitochondria in humans.

DNA Fingerprinting

• Not specified in the text.

Crop Yield

• Biotechnology has increased crop productivity by introducing disease resistance and drought tolerance to crops.
• Measured by the number of crops produced.

Cloning

• The process of generating a genetically identical copy of a cell or organism.

Bioremediation

• Uses existing bacteria in the soil to clean up the environment, such as oil spills and toxic waste.

Biotechnology is the application of biological systems to make or modify products. It has various applications including producing antibiotics, enzymes, and meeting basic needs.