BIOTECHNOLOGY is the use of living organisms (or their components) to develop products or processes that are useful to humans.
Biotechnology is not new — humans have used yeast for brewing and baking for thousands of years. But modern biotechnology uses sophisticated genetic engineering and cell culture techniques.
Key areas of biotechnology:
GENETIC ENGINEERING of microorganisms to produce medicines (e.g. insulin).
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS for higher yield, disease resistance or improved nutrition.
CLONING of plants for large-scale production of identical high-quality varieties.
MICROORGANISMS for food production (cheese, yoghurt, fermentation).
BIOREMEDIATION — using microorganisms to break down pollutants in soil and water.
Biotechnology in Food Production
GM CROPS — advantages and concerns:
ADVANTAGES:
Herbicide-resistant crops — fields can be sprayed without damaging the crop → more effective weed control → higher yield.
Insect-resistant crops (Bt crops) — produce natural insecticide → less need for chemical pesticide spraying → environmental benefit.
Disease-resistant crops — less crop loss to fungal and bacterial diseases.
Drought-tolerant crops — essential as climate change increases droughts in farming regions.
Golden Rice — provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) to address deficiency in developing countries.
CONCERNS:
GENE ESCAPE — modified genes could spread to wild relatives → unpredictable ecological effects.
BIODIVERSITY REDUCTION — wide use of identical GM varieties reduces genetic diversity of crops.
CORPORATE CONTROL — large companies own GM seed patents → farmers cannot save seeds → dependency.
UNCERTAINTY — long-term effects on human health and ecosystems not fully known.
ETHICAL OBJECTIONS — concerns about 'playing God' or interfering with natural processes.
FUNGI IN FOOD PRODUCTION:
Mycoprotein (Quorn) — made from the fungus Fusarium venenatum grown in fermenters.
High-protein, low-fat meat alternative. Grown rapidly and efficiently using glucose from starch as the carbon source.
Far more energy-efficient to produce than meat — requires much less land and water.
Biotechnology in Medicine and the Environment
MEDICINES FROM BIOTECHNOLOGY:
INSULIN — human insulin gene inserted into E. coli bacteria → bacteria produce human insulin in fermenters → purified for diabetic patients. Identical to human insulin → fewer immune reactions than animal-derived insulin.
GROWTH HORMONE — produced by GM bacteria → treats growth disorders.
VACCINES — hepatitis B vaccine produced from GM yeast (antigen-producing).
ANTIBODIES — monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma cells for cancer treatment and diagnosis.
BIOREMEDIATION:
Some bacteria can break down oil spills — used after marine pollution events.
Bacteria can detoxify heavy metals in contaminated soil.
Fungi (mycoremediation) can break down persistent organic pollutants.
MYCOPROTEIN PRODUCTION (QUORN):
Fusarium venenatum grown in a fermenter on glucose medium.
Highly efficient — doubles mass every few hours.
Harvested, processed and flavoured to create meat-like texture.
Significantly lower environmental footprint than livestock production:
Less land (no grazing or feed crop cultivation at scale).
Less water.
Less greenhouse gas emission.
No animal welfare concerns.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Biotechnology is NOT just genetic engineering — it covers any use of living organisms or their components in useful processes. This includes traditional uses like brewing and baking as well as cutting-edge genetic modification. Mycoprotein (Quorn) is made from a FUNGUS — not from soy or plant protein. It is grown in a fermenter using glucose.
📌 Key Note
Biotechnology: using living organisms for useful products. GM crops: higher yield, disease/pest resistance — but gene escape, biodiversity, corporate control concerns. Insulin from GM bacteria. Mycoprotein (Quorn): from fungus Fusarium — efficient, low environmental footprint. Bioremediation: using microbes to clean up pollution.
🎯 Matching Activity — Match the Biotechnology Application
Match each biotechnology application to how it works. — drag the symbols on the right to match the component names on the left.
GM insulin production
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Bt crops
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Golden Rice
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Mycoprotein (Quorn)
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Bioremediation
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Beta-carotene gene inserted → provides vitamin A precursor in regions with deficiency
Bacteria used to break down oil spills or detoxify polluted soil
Human insulin gene in E. coli → bacteria produce human insulin in fermenters
Fungus Fusarium grown in fermenter on glucose → protein-rich meat alternative