10th Class Biology Unit 8 Biotechnology Long Questions

1.What is biotechnology? Who proposed the term a biotechnology? Enlist the importance and techniques used in it.

Ans. Key Points Area of benefits | Techniques in Biotechnology

1. Introduction: Biotechnology is a new branch of biology that involves manipulation of organisms at molecular and cellular level to get services and products for human welfare.

2. Area of benefits: This field provides benefits in the areas of human health, agriculture, industries, and environment.

1. Definition: In 1919, Hungarian engineer Karl Ereky first proposed the term "biotechnology" It may be defined as the use of living cells or organisms to create products or processes for specific purposes.

2. Benefits: Through this technology:
• The hereditary characteristics of organisms are changed.
• New organisms with desired characters are developed from a cell or a part of an organism.
• Any required substance is produced from the modified organism.

3. Techniques in Biotechnology
Modern biotechnology emerged after the invention of the structure and function of DNA in 1953. The techniques being used in modern biotechnology include:
• Fermentation
• Recombinant DNA technology
• Cell culture
• Gene editing
• Genetic engineering
• Tissue culturing etc

2.Explain the role of yeast in the production of bread and ethanol.

Ans. Key Points Introduction | Role in Bread Making | Role in Ethanol Production

1. Introduction: Yeast is a microscopic fungus that plays a crucial role in both bread making and ethanol production through a process called fermentation (anaerobic respiration).

2. Role in Bread Making
Yeast ferments the sugars present in the dough and produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas. This gas forms bubbles in the dough, causing it to rise and become soft and airy. The alcohol produced during this process evaporates during baking.

b. Role in Ethanol Production
Yeast ferments sugars from crops like sugarcane or corn to produce ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide. The ethanol is then purified and used as a biofuel or in alcoholic beverages.

3.Explain the importance of Bacteria in Biotechnology.

Ans. Key Points Importance of Bacteria in Biotechnology | Role in Biotechnology | Role in Genetic Modification

1. Importance of Bacteria in Biotechnology
Bacteria are essential tools in biotechnology because they are simple, fast-growing, and can easily accept new genetic material. Scientists use them for producing medicines, studying genes, and creating genetically modified organisms (GMO's).

2. Role in Biotechnology
a. Production of Antibiotics: Certain bacteria produce important substances like antibiotics (e.g., Streptomyces produces streptomycin).
b. Production of Enzymes: Many bacteria produce enzymes which scientists use in making cheese and deterents.
c. Production of vitamins: Many bacteria produce vitamins (like vitamin B12).
d. Bioremediation: Scientists also use bacteria to clean up oil spills and waste through a process called bioremediation.
e. Production of Yogurt and Cheese: In the food industry, bacteria like Lactobacillus helps in making yogurt and cheese by fermenting milk

3. Role in Genetic Modification
a. Use of Plasmids: Scientists use special structures called plasmids (small loops of DNA found in bacteria) as carriers to introduce new genes into bacterial cells. In this way, the modified bacteria start producing proteins from that foreign gene. This method is used to produce:
• Human insulin for treating diabetes
• Human growth hormone for growth disorders
• Vaccines against diseases

b. Introduction of New Genes: Some bacteria are also used to introduce new genes into plant cells during the creation of genetically modified crops.

4.What is genetic engineering? Explain it by giving examples of genetic editing and gene transfer.

Ans. Key Points Genetic Editing | Curing Genetic Diseases | Gene Transfer | Steps of Gene Transfer

1. Introduction: Genetic engineering is defined as the process of altering (editing) the genes of organisms or transferring the genes from one organism into other organisms. In genetic engineering, special enzymes are used to cut and attach DNA at a specific location. As a result of genetic engineering, Genetically Modified Organisms are produced.

2. Examples: The following are the two main examples of genetic engineering.

a. Gene Editing / Describe the advantages of gene editing.
i. Introduction: Gene editing is a technique where scientists make changes in the DNA (genes) of an organism. These can involve adding, removing, or replacing specific parts of DNA.
ii. Advantages: It is done to correct genetic abnormalities and to improve characteristics.
iii. Examples of Gene Editing
• Curing Genetic Diseases: Scientists are researching how gene editing can cure diseases caused by abnormal genes, such as sickle cell anemia (a blood disorder), cystic fibrosis (a lung disease).
• Improving Crops: Gene editing can create crops that grow faster, resist pests and diseases, and survive droughts better. For example, virus resistant varieties of tomato and tobacco have been developed. Modified varieties of soybeans, corn, tomato, and cotton have been produced which show resistance against herbicides.
• Producing Better Medicines: Gene editing helps create bacteria that produce important medicines, like insulin for diabetes.

b. Gene Transfer / Enlist the steps for transferring a human gene into a bacterial cell.
i. Vectors: Genetic engineers use special vectors to transfer genes into an organism. The most commonly used vectors to transfer genes into bacteria are plasmids and bacteriophages.
• Plasmids: Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules present in some bacteria.
• Bacteriophages: Bacteriophages are the viruses that can enter bacteria.

ii. Steps for Transferring a Gene into Organism: The following are the steps for transferring a gene into organism e.g. bacteria.
• Isolation of a Gene: The gene of donor organism is identified and isolated from its chromosome.
• Recombinant DNA: A plasmid is removed from a bacterial cell. The plasmid DNA is cut and donor's gene is attached at the cut ends of the plasmid. The plasmid is now a combination of its original DNA and the new DNA (donor's gene). Now it is called recombinant DNA.
• Gene Cloning: The recombinant DNA is put back into a bacterial cell. When bacterial cell reproduces to form a colony of cells. All genetically modified bacteria contain the recombinant DNA. In this way, the bacterial colony contains many copies of the donor's gene. This step is also called gene cloning.

iii. Examples of Gene Transfer
• Insulin Production: The human insulin gene is transferred into a bacterium. The modified bacteria produce insulin, which is collected for treating diabetes patients.
• Human Growth Hormone: Human growth hormone is produced in genetically modified bacteria. It is used to treat dwarfism.
• Interferon: Interferon (anti-virus protein) is made in modified bacteria.
• Gene Therapy: In gene therapy, genetic engineers introduce genes into a patient's cells.
• Treatment of Genetic Diseases: It is used to treat genetic disorders of blood (e.g., thalassaemia).
• Vaccines: Vaccine against Hepatitis B virus has been produced from yeast through genetic modification.
• Genetically Modified Crops: A gene from a bacterium is transferred into cotton and corn crops. The genetically modified crops then produce a natural toxin that kills insects but is safe for humans.
• Beta Carotene: Gene from a bacterium is transferred into rice plants. The rice produces beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A. In human body such genetically modified rice help prevent blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency.

5.Enlist the products made by using gene transfer in the form of table.

Ans. Key Points Genetic Material Transferred | Organism or Technology Used | Purpose

Table 8.1 Products made by using Gene Transfer

6.Describe the applications of biotechnology.

Ans. Key Points Food Biotechnology | Medical Biotechnology | Environmental Biotechnology | Marine Biotechnology | Industrial Biotechnology

The following are the applications of biotechnology.

1. Food Biotechnology
• Biotechnologists have developed virus resistant, pest resistant, and drought resistant varieties of many crop plants.
• Enzymes extracted from certain microbes are used in different industries for the production of alcohol.

2. Medical Biotechnology
In medical field, biotechnology is helping in the following:
• Hormones and Enzymes: Making proteins like hormones and enzymes used for treating various diseases.
• Vaccines: Developing vaccines to prevent viral and bacterial infections.
• Correction of Defective Genes: Correcting defective genes responsible for genetic disorders.
• Antibodies: Production of targeted antibodies for treatment disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Identification of Inherited Disorder: Identifying inherited diseases and genetic conditions early.

3. Environmental Biotechnology
a. Bioremediation: Bioremediation is defined as the use of organisms such as bacteria, plants, or fungi to remove or neutralize pollutants from the environment.
b. Genetically Modified Bacteria: Genetically modified bacteria are used to break down the harmful chemicals present in waste matters and industrial discharge.
c. Examples of environmental Biotechnology
i. Growth of New Forests: Large number of saplings of different plants are produced through tissue culture. These saplings are planted to grow new forests in limited time.
ii. Minerals: Modified bacteria are also used for extracting different minerals e.g., copper and uranium.
iii. Manure: Microbes such as bacteria, blue green algae and fungi are used to produce manure.

4. Marine Biotechnology
It involves the use of marine organisms to develop new products, treatments, and technologies. For example:
a. Genetic Modifications: Genetic modifications in many fishes have led to faster growth rates.
b. Compounds from Marine Organisms: Compounds extracted from marine organisms (sponges, corals, and marine bacteria) are used to develop new cancer drugs, antibiotics and antiviral medicines.
c. Marine Bacteria: Certain marine bacteria are used to degrade oil spills, helping to clean up marine environments.
d. Cultivation of Marine Algae: Marine algae are cultivated in large quantities and, processed into biodiesel, ethanol, and other types of renewable energy.
e. Enzymes from Marine Organism: Enzymes extracted from marine organisms are used in various industries. For example, an enzyme extracted from marine bacteria is used to produce high-fructose corn syrup (common sweetener in the food industry).

5. Industrial Biotechnology
The following are the main applications of industrial biotechnology.
a. Biofuels: Biofuels like ethanol, biodiesel and biogas are produced. For example, yeast is used to ferment sugars from crops (corn, sugarcane) into ethanol. This ethanol can be blended with petrol to produce a cleaner fuel.
b. Biodegradable Plastic: Biodegradable plastic (bioplastic) is produced from fermented plant starch (usually corn or sugarcane).
c. Pharmaceutical products: Pharmaceutical products are made through microbial fermentation and genetic engineering. For example, the production of antibiotics (such as penicillin) involves the fermentation of specific molds like "Penicillium" Similarly, human insulin is produced through bacteria.

7.Discuss the potential risks of genetic modification.

Ans. Key Points Health Concerns | Environmental Impact | Loss of Biodiversity | Development of Resistant Pests and Weeds | Ethical Issues

1. Health Concerns: Some people worry that consuming genetically modified foods could cause allergic reactions or long-term health problems. There is also concern that new genes might interact with human cells in unexpected ways.

2. Environmental Impact: GM plants can sometimes cross-pollinate with wild plants. So, the modified genes can be spread in natural ecosystems. It can lead to create such species that may harm the environment.

3. Loss of Biodiversity: If farmers mostly grow GM crops, traditional and naturally diverse varieties might become rare or extinct. This can reduce biodiversity.

4. Development of Resistant Pests and Weeds: Pests exposed repeatedly to GM crops may evolve into "powerful pests" that are no longer affected by the crop's built-in defences.

5. Ethical Issues: Many people feel that it is morally wrong to alter the natural genes of living organisms.

Unit 8: Unit 8: Biotechnology — Long Questions