4.7.5.4 Role of Biotechnology

Question 1

What can biotechnology be used for?

Answer 1

can be used to help feed the population & potentially provides treatments for a number of diseases

Question 2

What do modern biotechnology techniques enable?

Answer 2

enables large quantities of microorganisms to be cultured for food

Question 3

What is the fungus Fusarium suitable for?

Answer 3

useful for producing mycoprotein, a protein-rich food suitable for vegetarians

Question 4

How is the fungus Fusarium grown?

Answer 4

• the fungus is grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions
• the biomass is harvested and purified so it can be consumed

Question 5

Benefits of fungus Fusarium providing protein without animals:

Answer 5

• reduces land use, as a lot of land is required to rear animals + areas to grow crops to feed them
• reduces our methane contribution - as cows produce methane

Question 6

What has been made to produce insulin and how is this useful?

Answer 6

• genetically modified bacterium produces human insulin
• when harvested and purified this is used to treat people with diabetes

Question 7

What can GM crops be used for?

Answer 7

• provide more food
• provide food with an improved nutritional value e.g. golden rice

Question 8

What properties can GM crops have to provide them with an advantage?

Answer 8

• modifying them to be resistant to pests or extreme weather conditions can increase yields
• modifying them to increase the nutritional value is beneficial in places where they lack access to certain vitamins - e.g. golden rice