4.7.5.4 Role of Biotechnology

Question 1

What can biotechnology be used for?

Answer 1

• help feed population
• potentially provide treatments for a number of diseases

Question 2

What is the fungus Fusarium useful for?

Answer 2

• producing mycoprotein

Question 3

What is mycoprotein?

Answer 3

• protein-rich food source
• suitable for vegetarians
• grown on glucose syrup in aerobic environments
• biomass is harvested and purified for consumption
• protein without animals

Question 4

How is using mycoprotein beneficial to the environment?

Answer 4

• reduces land use as a lot of land is required to rear animals and for food for them
• reduces methane contribution

Question 5

What can genetically modified bacteria which produces insulin do?

Answer 5

• insulin from it is taken and purified
• used to treat people with diabetes

Question 6

What are the advantages of genetically modifying crops to have certain properties?

Answer 6

• increases yields: can be modified to be resistant to pests or extreme weather conditions
• modifying them to increase nutritional value is beneficial in places where they lack access to certain vitamins (e.g. Golden rice)