21- Biotechnology Flashcards
biotechnology
a technique that uses living organisms to carry out processes to make substances we need, eg: food, enzymes
genetic engineering
changing the genetic material of an organism (usually microorganisms ) by removing, changing or inserting genes
advantages of using bacteria in biotechnology and genetic engineering
1- tiny, easy to grow in labs 2- no ethical issues over their growth 3- they share the same DNA as humans 4- they can make complex molecules 5- they have additional DNA ( plasmid ), which is easy to transfer between cells 6- reproduce rapidly
yeast
- single celled fungus that uses sugar as its food source
- respire anaerobically
uses of yeast
make alcohol as biofuel, bread making
respiration of yeast
anaerobic respiration (fermination) glucose ---> ethanol + CO2 + energy
biofuel
a fuel made from living organisms rather than a fossil fuel
substrate for producing ethanol
plant material (as a source of glucose)- maize
how is plants (maize) used in producing ethanol
- maize is treated with amylase to break down starch to
glucose. - yeast is added for anaerobic respiration for glucose to
produce ethanol. - ethanol is extracted by distillation.
advantages of using ethanol as a fuel
- it is sustainable resource.
- helps to reduce CO2 from air as we plant more maize.
- does not cause pollution
disadvantages of using ethanol as a fuel
Maize needs large lands to grow, instead of growing food for people, so it will be expensive for people to buy food.
what makes the bread dough rise
Carbon dioxide produced by respiration of yeast
function of amylase in dough
break down starch into starch into maltose and glucose
what makes the dough stretchy
gluten (protein)
what gives the smell of bread
the alcohol (ethanol) evaporating
advantages of using biological washing powders
1- quick breakdown of insoluble materials into soluble ones.
2- effective at low temperatures, requiring less energy and money, and can be used on delicate fabrics that would be damaged by high temperatures
enzymes present in biological powders and their uses
1-protease - catalyses breakdown of protein, eg; blood
2-lipase - catalyses breakdown of fats,eg; greasy stains
why are enzymes in biological powders kept on capsules
to prevent them from reacting with proteins and fats in peoples skin
enzymes used to extract juices from fruits
pectinase - breaks down pectin, makes juice clearer
pectin
substance in cell wall of a plant which helps plant cells stick together
lactose
disacchride sugar found in milk
lactase
enzyme that breaks down lactose
lactose intolerant
loose the ability to produce lactase
symptoms of lactose intolerance
nausea, flatulence and diarrhoea
how is lactose free milk made
lactase enzyme is added into it and left for a while to breakdown the lactose
products of breakdown of lactose
glucose and galactose- make milk sweet
penicillin
an antibiotic that kills bacteria (interferes with the building of the bacterial cell wall )- the first one discovered
how is penicillin produced
by growing the fungus Penicillium in industrial fermenter
fermenter
containers used to grow (‘culture’) microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in large amounts
advantage of using fermenter
conditions can be controlled
advantages of modifying crops
1- golden rice help people not suffer from blindness
2- increase crops yields
3- reduce labor costs (cheaper food)
disadvantages of modifying crops
1- no enough money to buy this food
2- gene might spread to weeds to produce weeds which are resistant to herbicides.
3. eating these crops may harm people’s health, because they contain toxin which kills insects.
4. some insects may become resistant to the toxin.
plasmid
circular ring of DNA found in bacteria, which is physically separated from chromosomal DNA
how are insulin genes from humans extracted
by restriction enzymes- they cut DNA and leaves sticky ends
