30 Questions
Which disciplines are involved in biotechnology according to the text?
Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics
What is the primary focus of biotechnology?
Manipulation of organisms at a molecular level
What does biotechnology aim to achieve through the use of living organisms?
Improvement of plants and animals through scientific methods
How are biotech companies characterized in the text?
By their use of genetic engineering and manipulation of organisms
Which technology is central to biotechnology for the genetic manipulation of various organisms?
Recombinant DNA Technology
How is biotechnology described regarding the application of living organisms?
Applying living organisms to meet human needs and ends
What does the term 'biotechnology' literally mean?
The study of tools from living things
When was the term 'biotechnology' first used?
1917
Which of the following is considered a classic example that defines the beginning of biotechnology?
Fermenting juice into wine
According to Genentech, what is biotechnology?
A process of harnessing biochemical tools from nature for new products
Which area is NOT mentioned as an application of biotechnology in the text?
Space Exploration
What are some of the societal issues raised by biotechnology according to the text?
"Genethics" and public attitudes towards biotechnology
Which lifestyle characteristic is associated with the Paleolithic society?
Nomadic lifestyle
What was a key benefit of fermentation in early societies?
Improved flavor and texture of foods
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of a fermented food in the text?
Honey
What marked the shift from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle in ancient societies?
Cultivation of crops
In ancient societies, what led to the discovery of fermented foods?
Accidental contamination with bacteria or fungi
Which technological advancement is credited with the origin of biotechnology in agrarian societies?
Development of grinding stones
What process is responsible for the production of CO2 and ethanol in the presence of yeast and sugars?
Fermentation
Which industry exploits early discoveries of the fermentation process to produce various products?
Biotechnology Industry
Which type of antibiotics were first produced by microorganisms during World War II?
Antibiotics from microbial sources
What is the main function of microbial enzymes in the production of therapeutic products?
Catalyzing chemical reactions
Which area of modern biotechnology focuses on the synthesis of organic compounds using cell extracts?
Biochemistry
What key theory was revived in the 1900s based on Gregor Mendel's findings regarding inheritance?
Theory of Transmission factors
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA → RNA → Protein
Who determined the genetic code for all 20 amino acids, winning the Nobel Prize in 1968?
Marshal Nirenberg, Heinrich Matthaei, and Gobind Khorana
What did Hershey and Chase demonstrate in their famous experiment in 1952?
DNA is the hereditary material
Who found colinearity between mutations in genes and amino acid sequences?
Charles Yanofsky
Which experiment demonstrated the intermediate role of RNA between DNA and protein synthesis?
Radioactive tagging experiments
What event led to determining the role of RNA in protein synthesis?
'RNA Club' organized by George Gamow
Study Notes
What is Biotechnology?
- Biotechnology is the application of genetic engineering and DNA technology to produce therapeutic and medical diagnostic products and processes.
- It involves the use of genetic engineering and manipulation of organisms at a molecular level.
- Any technique that uses living organisms or substances from those organisms to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific uses.
Stages of Biotechnology
- No specific stages mentioned, but biotechnology involves the application of genetic engineering and DNA technology to produce therapeutic and medical diagnostic products and processes.
Definitions of Biotechnology
- Biotechnology = bios (life) + logos (study of or essence), literally ‘the study of tools from living things’.
- Classic definition: The word "biotechnology" was first used in 1917 to describe processes using living organisms to make a product or run a process, such as industrial fermentations.
- Layman's definition: Biotechnology began when humans began to plant their own crops, domesticate animals, ferment juice into wine, make cheese, and leaven bread.
History of Biotechnology
- Ancient Biotechnology: History of domestication and agriculture, including Paleolithic society, nomadic lifestyle, and domestication of plants and animals.
- Classical Biotechnology: Built on ancient biotechnology, fermentation promoted food production and medicine.
- Modern Biotechnology: Manipulates genetic information in organisms, genetic engineering.
Ancient Biotechnology
- Paleolithic society (~2 x 10^6 yrs ago): Hunter-gatherers, nomadic lifestyle due to migratory animals and edible plant distribution (wild wheat and barley).
- Domestication of plants and animals (~10,000 yrs ago): People settled, sedentary lifestyles evolved.
- Cultivation of wheat, barley, and rye (seed collections), sheep and goats for milk, cheese, button, and meat.
- Fermented foods and beverages: Long history of fermented foods since people began to settle (9000 BC).
- Louis Pasteur published his findings on the direct link between yeast and sugars in 1866.
- Production of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in 1915.
Classical Biotechnology
- Industry today exploits early discoveries of the fermentation process for production of huge numbers of products.
- Examples of products: Different types of beer, vinegar, glycerol, acetone, butanol, lactic acid, citric acid, antibiotics, and more.
- Substrate → + Microbial Enzyme → Product: Cholesterol → Steroids (cortisone, estrogen, progesterone).
- Microbial synthesis of other commercially valuable products: Amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and pigments.
Modern Biotechnology
- Cell biology: Structure, organization, and reproduction.
- Biochemistry: Synthesis of organic compounds, cell extracts for fermentation (enzymes versus whole cells).
- Genetics: Resurrection of Gregor Mendel’s findings, theory of inheritance, and transmission factors.
- Molecular Biology: Beadle and Tatum (Neurospora crassa), Charles Yanofsky, Hershey and Chase, Watson, Crick, Franklin, and Wilkins.
Test your knowledge on the basics of Biotechnology, including definitions, historical timeline, techniques, applications in medicine, agriculture, DNA fingerprinting, gene therapy, and societal issues. Explore the world of Biotechnology with this quiz.
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