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Biotechnology
Manipulating living organisms to produce a technical solution to a known problem.
3,003 Questions
How does biotechnology help improve human life?
1. Bioproduction of sustainable chemicals, energy and other materials
Over the past 100 years, humans have depleted about half the world's known reserves of fossil fuels. These reserves, which took more than 600 million years to accumulate, are non-renewable, and their extraction, refining and burning are a major cause of greenhouse gases and the warming of the planet. One of the most promising hopes in the sustainability field is artificial biosynthesis, a process whereby living organisms, such as bacteria, fungus or plants, are used to create fuels, chemicals and other materials.
2. Genetically modified crops to increase sustainable food production
The continuing increase in our numbers and affluence are posing growing challenges to the ability of humanity to produce adequate food and animal feed, as well as meet the new demands for biofuel. Although controversial, genetic modification of crops can help to solve this problem. The evidence shows that, in places where they are allowed, modern GM crops are contributing to the growth of agricultural productivity. In 2011, for instance, 16.7 million farmers grew biotech crops on almost 400 million acres in 29 countries, including 19 developing countries. Existing GM commodity crops also contribute to crop sustainability by permitting the use of less pesticide and decreasing the need for erosion-promoting tillage. Such crops also contribute to human and animal welfare by increasing farm productivity and reducing fungal contamination of grain.
3. Seawater bioprocesses to produce fuel and chemicals
More than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by seawater, and it is the most abundant water source available on the planet, but we are only starting to tap its potential. For instance, new bioprocesses can turn some types of seaweed grown in the oceans into biofuels, potentially providing an energy solution to countries that lack arable land and access to freshwater. Additionally, bacteria and microalgae that live and grow in seawater can be engineered to grow more efficiently and be used to produce chemicals, fuels and polymeric materials.
4. Zero-waste bio-processing
Environmentalists have long dreamed of a zero-waste society and new bio-processing techniques could help to make this a reality. Biorefineries - facilities that integrate biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuel, power, heat and value-added chemicals from biomass - can turn industrial waste streams into chemicals and fuels, thereby closing the production loop. Recent advances include using less-costly inputs in the bio-process, such as carbon dioxide, methane and waste heat. Other advances are also simplifying the waste streams, reducing their toxicity and moving society closer to the goal of zero waste.
5. Carbon dioxide as a raw material
Carbon dioxide and other carbon molecules are seen as a culprit in global warming, and the environmental consequences of more of these compounds entering the atmosphere is becoming increasingly clear. Recent advances are rapidly increasing our understanding of how living organisms consume and use carbon dioxide. By harnessing the power of these natural biological systems, scientists are engineering a new wave of approaches to convert waste carbon dioxide and other molecules into energy, fuel, chemicals, and materials that may help the world meet its needs.
6. Regenerative medicine to create new organs
Many societies that are grappling with the challenge of a rapidly ageing population are increasing the demand for regenerative medicine, which holds the promise of growing tissue and organs in the laboratory and allows surgeons to safely implant them when the body is unable to heal itself. Traffic accidents and war amputations are also spurring interest in the field. Scientists are already able to engineer tissue using various biomaterials, and believe that stem cells, especially ones called induced pluripotent stem cells (adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state) provide another significant opportunity in this field.
7. Rapid and precise development and manufacturing of medicine and vaccines
The ability of therapeutics and vaccines to treat and prevent diseases has been well documented. Biotechnology has been central to these advances, progressively offering the ability to make more complicated medicines and vaccines, opening up the treatment and prevention of a broader set of diseases. The leading edge of biotechnology is now offering the potential to rapidly produce therapeutics and vaccines against virtually any target. These technologies - including messenger therapeutics to stimulate the body's natural ability to produce therapeutic proteins; targeted immunotherapies to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight diseases by targeting specific cells; conjugated nanoparticles, which combine antibodies and nanoparticles - have already produced potential treatments with substantial promise to improve human health globally.
8. Accurate, fast, cheap, and personalized diagnostics and prognostics
One of the most real and serious threats to the human race is a potential global pandemic. Biotechnology has the potential to provide the platforms needed for rapid identification of biological threats, development of potential cures and global manufacturing of the solutions. Identification of better targets and combined use of nanotechnology and information technology are making it possible to develop rapid, accurate, personalized and inexpensive diagnostics and prognostics systems.
9. Biotech improvements to soil and water
Arable land and fresh water are two of our most important, yet limited, resources. Sustained abuse and misappropriation have threatened these resources, much as the demand on them has increased. Advances in biotechnology have already yielded technologies that are beginning to restore the vitality and viability of these resources. A new generation of developing technologies, such as bioremediation to use microbial metabolism to remove pollutants, bioregeneration to renew or restore life-supporting resources using biological processes, and bioaugmentation to introduce a group of natural microbial strains or a genetically engineered variant to treat contaminated soil or water, offers great promise to not only further restore these resources but also to augment their potential.
How important biotechnology to mankind?
Biotechnology has a significant impact on mankind by improving healthcare through the development of new medicines, increasing food production through genetic modification of crops, and contributing to environmental sustainability by developing bio-based products and clean technologies. It has the potential to address global challenges such as hunger, disease, and climate change.
What does the letters ss means in biotechnology ss?
In biotechnology, "ss" typically refers to single-stranded DNA or RNA. Single-stranded refers to a molecule that is composed of a single chain of nucleotides, as opposed to double-stranded which consists of two complementary strands. Single-stranded nucleic acids play various important roles in processes like transcription and RNA interference.
Is mutant bacteria and transgenic bacteria same?
Transgenic: This kind of bacteria is formed by transfer of genetic material from another bacteria. The transfer may be natural or by genetic techniques.
Mutant: This kind of bacteria is also a modified one at genetic level, but not due to transfer of genetic material from other bacteria or organism, but due to genetic changes in the organism itself. This changes may be due to UV rays or ionising radiations, or other mutantion stimulating agents (mutagens)
What forms when two monosaccharides link together?
When two monosaccharides link together by Glycosidic bond (type of covalent bond formed by sugar molecule with others) they form a disaccharide.
Example of disaccharides:
Sucrose - glucose + Fructose
Lactose - Galasctose + Glucose
How will the goals of biotechnology and gene research will change pharmacy as it is known today?
Biotechnology and gene research will likely lead to the development of more personalized medicines tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, potentially improving treatment efficacy and reducing adverse effects. This could shift pharmacy towards a more targeted and precise approach to medication selection, dosing, and monitoring. Additionally, advancements in these fields may also accelerate the discovery of novel drug therapies for various diseases.
What will happen if a xylem tissue is damaged in a branch of a tree?
If xylem tissue is damaged in a branch of a tree, it can disrupt the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree, potentially causing that portion of the tree to wilt or die. The tree may also be more susceptible to diseases or pests due to the weakened state of the branch.
What is system suitability parameters in hplc?
SST is an integral procedure to be done in every drug product analysis (qualitative or quantitative). USP-(621) Chromatography gives the requirements for SST and acceptance criteria, unless it is specified in the specific USP-Monograph. Getting the results conform SST requirements means that you get the permission to go ahead with analysis the contrary means that some changes must be done within the frame of USP-(621) Chromatography. Normally with SST parameters we understand what is required by USP, EP,BP,JP,DAB, that is: %RSD<2%(5 injections) and %RSD>2%(6 injections), retention factor>2,tailing factor<1.5, selectivity>1 and resolution>1.5. Having such parameters means that system as whole works properly and you can proceed with the analysis.
What does SS mean in biotechnology?
SS in biotechnology often refers to "Stainless Steel," which is commonly used in the construction of equipment like bioreactors, fermenters, and other vessels that are used in bioprocessing. Stainless steel is preferred due to its durability, resistance to corrosion, and ease of sterilization, making it suitable for use in manufacturing processes in biotechnology.
What is the source of the polymerase used in polymerase chain reaction?
The polymerase used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is typically derived from a thermophilic bacterium called Thermus aquaticus. The specific polymerase most commonly used is Taq polymerase, which is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures required for PCR.
A group of cells thet preform a similar fuction is called?
A group of cells grouped together to perform a similar function is a tissue. FOr example, all of your mucels perform a similar function. The muscles are actually tissues consisting of a group of similar cells.
What is the role of sodium dodecyl sulphate in DNA isolation?
Sodium dodecyl sulphate is a surfactant and functions as a detergent. It solubilizes the lipids present in the cell membrane and internal membrane and components of cell and allows a DNA extract free from lipids which would otherwise be contaminants in biological and biochemical assays.
How are replication and pcr similar?
Both replication and PCR involve the amplification of DNA. Replication is the natural process by which cells make copies of their DNA, while PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a laboratory technique that can make millions of copies of a specific DNA fragment in a short amount of time. Both processes require a DNA polymerase enzyme to catalyze the synthesis of new DNA strands.
What are the impact of mutations and how mutations can have no impact?
Mutations are usually anomalies in the sequence of a particular strand of DNA. The change is the sequence can be of various kinds and their individual effects vary. Sometimes mutations occur but they are never expressed. In such cases, on the whole, the mutation has had no impact.
Changes in a single nucleotide can change the reading frame for protein coding regions and can cause misreading of the genetic code. For example, nonsense mutations caused by the exchange of a nucleotide leading to a stop codon can cause truncation of a protein. On the other hand, we can have silent mutations which show no effect because the nucleotide that has been exchanged does not cause change in amino acid sequence. So this would be an example of a mutation which shows no effect.
How has biotechnology helped humans?
Biotechnology has helped humans in various ways, such as developing more effective medications, improving crop yields through genetic engineering, advancing personalized medicine, and enabling the production of biofuels and renewable energy sources. It has also led to breakthroughs in medical treatments, disease prevention, and diagnostic tools.
Are permanent alterations in a cell's DNA that affect the nucleotide sequence of one or more genes?
Permanent alterations in a cell's DNA that affect the nucleotide sequence of one or more genes are known as mutations. Mutations can arise due to various factors such as errors during DNA replication, exposure to mutagenic agents, or spontaneous changes in DNA. Mutations can lead to changes in gene function, which can result in a variety of outcomes, including diseases or genetic diversity.
How does restriction endonucleases work?
Restriction enzymes recognize a specific sequence of nucleotides and produce a double-stranded cut in the DNA. While recognition sequences vary between 4 and 8 nucleotides, many of them are palindromic, which correspond to nitrogenous base sequences that read the same backwards and forwards. In theory, there are two types of palindromic sequences that can be possible in DNA. The mirror-likepalindrome is similar to those found in ordinary text, in which a sequence reads the same forward and backwards on a single strand of DNA strand, as in GTAATG. The inverted repeat palindrome is also a sequence that reads the same forward and backwards, but the forward and backward sequences are found in complementary DNA strands (i.e., of double-stranded DNA), as in GTATAC (GTATAC being complementary to CATATG). Inverted repeat palindromes are more common and have greater biological importance than mirror-like palindromes.
What are the disadvantages for global food supply in biotechnology?
The prevalence of inefficient and non-nutritious food sources by large companies for profit. Large companies have the capital to pursue biotechnology but the result can be the domination of a market by a inefficient crop like america's corn production. It is profit motivated not globally responsible.
What are worries about biotechnology?
Some concerns about biotechnology include ethical implications of genetically modifying organisms, potential environmental impacts of modified crops, and worries about the long-term effects on biodiversity and ecosystem balance. Additionally, there are concerns about the concentration of power and control in the hands of a few big companies in the biotechnology industry.
Can a maths student go for biotechnology?
Yes, a math student can pursue a career in biotechnology. Many aspects of biotechnology involve mathematical concepts such as modeling biological systems, analyzing data from experiments, and optimizing processes in biotechnology. A strong background in mathematics can be beneficial in understanding and solving complex problems in biotechnology.
Which method can be used to gain the appropriate data for protein size and shape determinations?
This question was posed to me in my college biotechnology class this week. These are the answers that I have found. The only thing that a biotechnologist would use is the X-ray crystallography. Because it gives all the data needed to determine the size and shape of proteins.
I do hope that helped.
What type of functional RNA is a primary component of the structures required for protein synthesis?
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a primary component of the structures required for protein synthesis. It is responsible for carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome during the process of translation in protein synthesis.
Is biotechnology is a good career option?
Biotechnology can be a good career option for individuals interested in science, research, and innovation. It offers opportunities to work in diverse fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science. With advancements in technology and growing demand for biotech solutions, it can provide a fulfilling and impactful career path.
What are two examples of traditional biotechnology?
Fermentation is a traditional biotechnology technique used to produce products like bread, beer, and yogurt. Another example is selective breeding, where desirable traits in plants or animals are deliberately bred together to create desired outcomes like disease resistance or increased crop yield.
Shuttle vectors are DNA plasmids that can replicate in multiple host organisms, such as bacteria and yeast. They have origins of replication and selection markers for both hosts, allowing researchers to move genetic material between different organisms for studies or applications in biotechnology. Shuttle vectors are valuable tools in molecular biology for studying gene function and expression across different systems.
