Biotechnology Flashcards
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology refers to the use of micro-organisms to make substances useful to humans, such as medicines (antibiotics, insulin) and foods (bread, wine, cheese, maas).
What are some examples of substances made using biotechnology?
Some examples include antibiotics (like penicillin), insulin, and foods such as maas (fermented milk), bread, wine, and cheese.
How are natural antibiotics made?
Natural antibiotics are made by fungi like Penicillium, which is found on fruit skins. The mould is grown in a vat with sugar and amino acids, and after five days, penicillin is produced, then removed and purified.
What is the role of insulin in the body?
Insulin is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood glucose levels. A malfunctioning pancreas can lead to diabetes mellitus, where insulin injections are needed.
How is insulin made using bacteria?
A plasmid is removed from a bacterium.
The plasmid is cut open with an enzyme.
A gene for making insulin is extracted from a human pancreas cell.
The gene is inserted into the plasmid to form recombinant DNA.
The recombinant DNA is inserted into a bacterium.
The bacteria are grown in large vats and produce insulin, which is then extracted and purified.
Which bacterium is commonly used to make insulin?
The most commonly used bacterium to make insulin is E. coli.
