Biotechnology and Climate Change Reviewer PDF

Biotechnology- Reviewer Biotechnology A combination of biology and technology. The use of technology to use, modify or upgrade a part or a whole biological system for industrial and human welfare. the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes to manufa...

Biotechnology- Reviewer Biotechnology A combination of biology and technology. The use of technology to use, modify or upgrade a part or a whole biological system for industrial and human welfare. the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes to manufacturing and service industries. (British Biotechnologist) the controlled use of biological agents, such as microorganisms or cellular components. (US National Science Foundation) It is the integrated use of biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering sciences in order to achieve the technological (industrial) application of the capabilities of micro-organisms, and cultured tissue cells. (European Federation of Biotechnology) It is to modify the genetic structure in animals and plants to improve them in the desired way for getting beneficial products. History of Biotechnology People were using biotechnology techniques for thousands of years before but they did not name their working field as biotechnology. 1919, Hungarian engineer Karoly Ereky gave the name biotechnology, describing a technology based on converting raw materials into a more useful product. Ancient Egyptians used fermentation to make wine and make dough rise in the bread making process, able to make 50 varieties of bread in Egypt more than 4,000 years ago. In wetter parts of the Nile Valley, Egyptians also bred geese and cattle for their society’s nutritional and dietary needs. Recombinant DNA technology- extraction of DNA from one organism for use in another, allowing more rapid, specific improvementsin plants and animals. Plant tissue culture gains widespread acceptance as a method of quickly and cheaply produce genetically identical plants. Year Milestone 1869 German Miescher discovers DNA in trout sperm. 1919 Karoly Ereky gave the name biotechnology 1940s-1950s Widespread work undertaken to investigate the structure and function of DNA. 1980 U.S. Supreme court approves patenting of genetically altered organisms. 1980s-1990s Variety of GMOs and biotechnology techniques in fields from agriculture to medicine. 1990s First transgenic organisms (GMOs) are introduced in widespread agricultural production. 1997 Dolly was the first animal cloned from diploid cells in Scotland. 1990s-2000s Human cloning was outlawed in the U.S. concerned about the use of human stem cells in research begin to arise. Pioneers in Biotechnology Rober Hooke- invented the compound light microscope,first to observe cells. Anton Van Leeuwenhoek- discovered bacteria using a simple microscope. Gregor Mendel- Founder of Genetics, conducted first genetic experiments using pea plants Louis Pasteur- disproved notion of spontaneous generation, described role of bacteria in spoilage and scientific basis for fermentation. Created rabies vaccine. James Watson & Francis Crick- Discovered double helix structure of DNA using X-ray photographs. Paul Berg- scientist at Standford University that developed Recombinant DNA technology.  Climate Change- Reviewer Climate Change - Caused by the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. - GHG emissions can come from both natural sources and manmade activities. But manmade activities worsen the problem. The Science of Climate Change - To maintain the Earth’s normal temperature, the amount of incoming radiation should be equal to the amount of outgoing radiation. 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 Climate Change in the PH - Many well-known impacts of global warming are not applicable to the PH. - Deadly heatwaves unlikely, no glaciers around, - Tropical marine conditions tend to keep our weather and climate stable. Downstream Effects of Climate Change Energy - Bulk of local power supply in PH comes from hydroelectricity, any decrease in rainfall means more reliance to imported coal and oil Agriculture - Less or too much rain = less harvest - Changes in timing of rain also critical, - CO2 rise favors crops but also weeds - CO2 rise can enhance corn growth but only in roots and stock and not in edible parts. Forest and Biodiversity - Forests will shrink and become dry forests prone to fire - Global warming raises flood risk, worsening habitat degradation and species loss. - However human impact still much more damaging. Health - Disease vectors (mosquitoes, etc.) will expand their range - Displacement due to disasters will be a worsening human health issue Water Resouces - Sea level rise may cause salinity intrusion (mixing of seawater and freshwater) Marine Resources - Warmer temperatures kills corals, - Higher CO2 in atmosphere disrupts carbonate chemistry, making shell and bone formation difficult.