BiotechnologyChapter 8

What is biotechnology?•The collection of technologies

that use living organisms or the products from living organisms to benefit humans and their surroundings.

Origins of Biotechnology• Although it seems like a new thing,

biotechnology has actually been around for a while:– Domesticated plants and animals are

the result of selective breeding – Using yeast to make bread rise– Using bacteria or yeast to ferment

grapes into wine

So Why Should I Care?• Biotechnology affects agriculture and food safety,

healthcare, law enforcement and environmental issues

• Career opportunities• Voting on laws and policies• Biotechnology could play a key part in the

evidence in court cases

Traditional Biotechnology• Agriculture and Breeding

– Trait variation exists between a species– Farmers selected the best ones and bred them– Same for animals (Dogs)

• Food– Taking one type of food and using enzymes to

transform it into another (Milk to cheese)

Modern Biotechnology: 2 types

• Cell Cultures– Multiplication of strains of cells (vaccines)

• Genetic Transformations– Manipulation of genetic information (Cloning)

Applications of Biotechnology: Cloning

• Cloning is creating a genetically identical copy of something

• Single cells and DNA are fairly easy to clone, but cloning entire organisms becomes increasingly difficult

• Cloning uses an egg cell from one donor and DNA from a second donor implanted into a surrogate.

• Done to create cells for research, maintain desirable genetics, and save human and animal lives

DNA Fingerprinting• DNA fingerprinting is identifying the pattern of certain

sequences in parts of DNA• DNA is isolated, copied, cut into pieces, and separated

based on size using gel electrophoresis.• Probes are then used to find specific DNA sequences.• Can be used for maternity or paternity tests and in

forensics to determine identity and compare unknown DNA samples to find out if a suspect is guilty or not

Genetic Transformation•Modification of a species’ genome by

introducing genes from another species.•GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)

– Living organism (plant or animal) that has had its DNA modified through genetic transformation to provide it with new traits (Corn)

Cloning Movie

Pasteurization• Used to prevent the proliferation of harmful microorganisms in

food. • Heating time and temperature kill most unwanted microorganisms

– Provides• Healthier food• Longer shelf life• Preservation of the foods

nutritional properties

Vaccinations• To help humans become immune to disease-

causing agents. • Immunity: the capacity to resist a disease to

which we have been exposed by being able to fight off the infectious agent that causes the disease

• Video• Video 2

Stem Cell Research