Objective 8.01: Define terminology related to biotechnology

The Role of Biotechnology in Agriscience

Biotechnology is the manipulation of living organisms and organic material to serve human needsYeast to make bread rise and in alcohol

productionBeneficial bacteria (penicillium) to kill harmful

organismsCloning plants and animalsArtificial insemination

Defining Biotechnology (review)

BaseA key component of DNA and RNA moleculesfour different nitrogenous bases are in DNA

AdenineCytosineGuanineThymine

Biotechnology Terms

Base PairTwo nucleotide bases on

different strands of the nucleic acid molecule that bond together

The bases can pair in only on way Adenine – Thymine (Uracil with

RNA)Guanine – Cytosine

Biotechnology Terms

BioassayDetermination of the effectiveness of a

compound by measuring its effect on animals, tissues or organisms in comparison with a standard preparation

Biotechnology Terms

BioremediationThe use of microorganisms to remedy

environmental problems Makes some hazardous wastes non-hazardous

Biotechnology Terms

CloningThe production

of a genetically identical organism(s) from cells removed from a single parent

Biotechnology Terms

Clonal OffspringOrganisms produced through the process of

cloning – always genetically identical to each other and the parent

Biotechnology Terms

CodonA sequence of three nucleotide bases that

specifies and amino acid or represents a signals to stop or start a function

Biotechnology Terms

DNA FingerprintingThe use of restriction

enzymes to measure the genetic variation of individuals

this technology is often used as a forensic tool to detect differences or similarities in blood and tissue samples from crime scenes

Biotechnology Terms

Embryonic Stem CellsCells that can

give rise to any type of differentiated cell

Are typically derived from an older developing embryo

Biotechnology Terms

FermentationThe process of growing

microorganisms for the production of various chemical or pharmaceutical compounds

Microbes are normally incubated under specific conditions in the presence o nutrients in large tanks called fermentors

Biotechnology Terms

Gel ElectrophoresisA process for separating molecules by forcing

them to migrate through a gen under the influence of an electric field

Biotechnology Terms

GeneticsThe study of the inheritance in plants and

animals

Biotechnology Terms

Genetic EngineeringThe process of removing and/or inserting

genetic material in order to change an organism’s traits

Biotechnology Terms

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)Name given to transgenic organisms

Organisms that are developed through genetic manipulation

Biotechnology Terms

In vitro“In Glass” Meaning something that is developed in a test

tube or other laboratory apparatus In vitro fertilization is done outside of the female

reproductive tract

Biotechnology Terms

In vivo“In the living”Something that is performed inside a living

organism

Biotechnology Terms

Monoclonal AntibodyHighly specific, purified antibody that is

derived from only one clone of cells and recognizes only one antigenTypically used in diagnostic testing where the test

recognizes one specific hormone, cell, etc to testExample – pregnancy testing

Biotechnology Terms

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)A technique to amplify a target DNA sequence

of nucleotides by several hundred thousand

Biotechnology Terms

Restriction EnzymesAn enzyme that breaks DNA in highly specific

locationsCreates gaps into which new genes can be

inserted

Biotechnology Terms

Ribonucleic Acid RNAA nucleic acid smaller than DNA (no double

helix) responsible for the production of proteins in a cellHas only one ribose

Biotechnology Terms

Transgenic OrganismA genetically altered organism with DNA

altered by the removal of genes or the insertion of genes from another organism

Biotechnology Terms

Objective 8.02: Discuss potential applications for biotechnology in production agriculture

The Role of Biotechnology in Agriscience

1. Use of biotechnology techniques in environmental science for cleaning contaminants and protecting endangered speciesBioremediation –

use of natural organisms to clean or improve the environment

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture

2. The production of improved plants and animals resistant to insects, diseases, or even harsh environmental conditionsBt cornDrought tolerant plantsSelectively bred livestock

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture

3. Increased use of methods of in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination

- improved selective breeding programs in plants and animals

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture

4. The production of beneficial medical and nutritional substances in transgenic plants and animals

-example – Golden Rice

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture

5. DNA analysis-paternity testing in order to determine a more accurate ancestry of living organisms

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture

1. Transfer of genes found in transgenic organisms to natural population

1. For roundup ready crops some genes have merged into weeds to make them resistant to roundup as well

2. Terminator gens are being developed to alleviate this risk

Problems with Biotechnology in Production Agriculture

2. Unexpected impacts of genetically modified organisms and biotechnology processes on other organisms and the environment

1. Some testing is still being done

Problems with Biotechnology in Production Agriculture

3. Expense of the utilization of many biotechnology techniques

1. Example: the cost of producing transgenic animals is very high, even for fish, so it would be very costly to produce livestock this way

Problems with Biotechnology in Production Agriculture

4. Concerns over the safety and ethics of incorporating GMO’s into food for human consumption

1. Example: the use of a genetically modified corn (Starling) has not been approved for human consumption in taco shells

Problems with Biotechnology in Production Agriculture

5. Lack of education among both consumers and producers concerning biotechnology processes and products

Problems with Biotechnology in Production Agriculture

Objective 8.03: Summarize the relationship between the various divisions of biotechnology and

agriscience

The Role of Biotechnology in Agriscience

1. Increased activity and research between different agricultural areas with common research techniques and goals

1. Helps increase the yields of crops2. Reduces the use of resources like water and

fertilizer3. Controls pests in environmentally compatible

ways

General Relationship between Biotechnology and Agriscience

1. Biotechnology in Agricultural Production1. Wide scale production of transgenic plants

impacting agronomy and horticulture2. Natural protection for plants3. Resistance to environmental stresses4. Increases crop yields

Relationship of Biotechnology to Specific Fields of Agriscience

2. Biotechnology in Environmental Science1. Immunoassays are used for testing

contaminants in soil and water2. Installation of biological barriers to prevent

the transfer of harmful microorganisms between production facilities

3. Bioremediation of soils that have been contaminated with wood preservatives, coal and tar

Relationship of Biotechnology to Specific Fields of Agriscience

3. Biotechnology in Heath – Agri-medicine

1. The use of biological barriers to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms that could contaminate food sources

2. Pharming – the creation of plants and animals capable of producing medical substances

1. Example: creating cows and goats that produce milk containing therapeutic proteins that can nourish premature infants

Relationship of Biotechnology to Specific Fields of Agriscience