The Power of Water

Which subatomic particle in water's nucleus attracts electrons more strongly than the protons in the hydrogen nuclei?

What is the charge distribution in a water molecule?

What is the term used for a molecule in which the charges are unevenly distributed?

What is the attraction between a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge and another atom with a partial negative charge called?

What property of water allows it to attract other polar molecules?

What is biotechnology primarily concerned with?

Which of the following is an example of a transgenic organism?

What benefit do genetically modified crops provide in relation to chemical pesticides?

What is the primary purpose of human genetic screening?

What ethical concern is highlighted regarding genetic screening?

How have domestic plants and animals primarily been developed over time?

What is a primary benefit of transgenic sheep and cows?

What potential issue arises from the use of genetically modified foods?

Biotechnology

Biotechnology encompasses the application of living organisms and their processes for various purposes.
It encompasses diverse products, processes, and techniques.
Examples include using microorganisms to produce bread and cheese.
Biotechnology plays a crucial role in exonerating wrongly convicted individuals through DNA testing.
It holds promise for addressing modern challenges, such as finding alternative energy sources like algae.
Domesticated plants and animals are products of centuries of genetic manipulation through selective breeding.
Genetic manipulation involves transferring genetic information between organisms, even those from different species.

Transgenic Organisms

Transgenic organisms are created by introducing genes from a different species or altering their own genes.
Examples include transgenic bacteria producing human insulin for diabetes treatment and transgenic sheep and cows producing human antibodies and proteins.
Genetically modified foods are a form of transgenic organisms.

Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods

Potential benefits include increased nutrient content, yield, and insect resistance in crops.
Insect-resistant crops could significantly reduce or eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
However, the long-term impacts of genetically modified crops remain unclear.

Human Genetic Screening

Human genetic screening involves analyzing an individual's genes to identify genetic variations.
It can predict potential risks for certain diseases or genetic disorders in individuals or their offspring.
This technique enables early diagnosis of conditions allowing for treatment before illness onset.
However, ethical concerns arise, particularly regarding the possibility of using genetic screening to select desired characteristics in children.

Test your knowledge on the unique properties of water and how its polarity affects its role as a solvent. Explore the structure of water and its impact on various properties.