Biotechnology Overview and rDNA Technology

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Questions and Answers

What is one practical application of recombinant DNA technology?

Development of new mining techniques

Production of human insulin (correct)

Infection prevention using antibiotics

Creation of synthetic fats for food products

What are vectors used for in recombinant DNA procedures?

Producing vaccines directly

Amplifying microbes in culture

Transporting foreign DNA into a cell (correct)

Extracting compounds from ores

Which type of cell has been used since the 1950s to produce viral vaccines?

Bacterial cells

Fungal cells

Animal cells (correct)

Plant cells

How did the role of scientists in biotechnology change after the 1980s?

They began using genetically modified organisms for production Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of amplifying DNA using recombinant DNA technology?

It generates sufficient DNA for experimentation and analysis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about microbes is NOT true?

Microbes are always harmful to humans and animals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using yeast in vaccine production?

Yeast carries genes that enable the production of specific viral proteins Signup and view all the answers

What does genetic engineering primarily involve?

The modification of genes through recombinant DNA technology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using vectors in gene cloning?

To introduce the gene into host cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a self-replicating DNA molecule used as a vector?

Viral genome Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology provide in the production of human growth hormone (hGH)?

It ensures a pure and cost-effective product Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of successfully inserting a gene of interest into a plasmid vector?

The gene can be expressed and produce proteins Signup and view all the answers

Why is it dangerous to obtain human growth hormone (hGH) from human pituitary glands?

It can transmit neurological diseases Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'clone' refer to in molecular biology?

A culture of genetically identical cells Signup and view all the answers

During the gene cloning process, what is meant by 'harvesting' the gene of interest?

Collecting large quantities of the gene for use Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential next step after cloning a gene of interest in a culture of cells?

Isolating the gene for various uses or expressing it for protein Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biotechnology Overview

Biotechnology utilizes microorganisms, cells, or cell components to create valuable products, including foods, vaccines, antibiotics, and vitamins.
Historically, bacteria have been employed in mining to extract valuable ores.
Since the 1950s, animal cells have been utilized in the production of viral vaccines.

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Technology

Prior to the 1980s, biotechnology relied solely on naturally occurring cells; scientists focused on identifying suitable cells for large-scale growth.
Modern biotechnology employs microorganisms and plants as "factories" to synthesize chemicals not naturally produced by them through genetic manipulation.

Genetic Engineering

rDNA technology allows for inserting, deleting, or modifying genes, expanding biotechnology applications significantly.
Artificial techniques for creating rDNA emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, enabling genes from one organism to be inserted into the DNA of bacteria or yeast.

Applications of rDNA

Bacteria can be genetically engineered to produce human insulin, aiding in diabetes treatment.
Yeasts can generate viral coat proteins for hepatitis B vaccines, paving the way for innovations in vaccine production.
rDNA also allows for cloning large quantities of specific DNA for experimental purposes, critical for identifying non-culturable microbes like certain viruses.

rDNA Procedures

Vectors, such as plasmids or viral genomes, transport foreign DNA into host cells.
The gene of interest is inserted into the vector in vitro, enabling self-replication once inside a bacterium.
The cloned bacteria multiply, producing numerous identical copies that contain the gene of interest, leading to gene harvesting or protein production.

Cloning and Harvesting

The term "clone" refers both to the replicated culture of genetically identical cells and the overall process of cloning a gene.
Depending on whether the gene or its protein product is desired, researchers can isolate large quantities of the gene or harvest the resulting protein.

Case Study: Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

hGH is essential for normal growth; previously sourced from human pituitary glands, a method that was risky and costly.
Genetically modified E.coli now produces pure and cost-effective hGH, eliminating risks of disease transmission and speeding up production compared to traditional extraction methods.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of biotechnology, including its historical applications and the evolution of recombinant DNA technology. Learn how genetic engineering has transformed the field, allowing for innovative applications like the production of vaccines and other valuable products.