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Terminology of Biotech
Posted Date: 30 Apr 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: Education
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Posted By: M.A.Qadeer Member Level: Bronze
Rating:  Points: 5
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'Biotechnology' is the practice of using plants, animals and micro-organisms such as bacteria, as well as biological processes - such as the ripening of fruit or the bacteria that break down compost - to some benefit.
Using living things to create products or to do tasks for human beings is a general definition of biotechnology.
For example, in industry, medicine and agriculture, biotechnology is used to produce foods, medicines, test for diseases and remove waste.
It can also be used to solve problems and conduct research. Over time biotechnology has formed the basis of learning about people and diseases. Biotechnology has also underpinned the development of treatments.
This section explains the basic science behind biotechnology, including gene technology, and can be used as an introduction to the topic, or as a cross-reference when working through the rest of this resource.
Biotechnology existed long before there was a special word for it. Many of the principles and some of the techniques involved in biotechnology are ancient. For example, fermentation, in which microbes are used, has been practised for thousands of years to produce beer, wine, cheese, bread and yoghurt. Traditional animal and plant breeding techniques are also a form of pre-industrial biotechnology.
What is new about biotechnology today is that researchers can take a single gene from a plant or animal cell and insert it into another plant or animal cell of a different species (this is called transgenic technology).
Modern biotechnology also includes altering the genes within an organism to control the expression of a particular protein. Changing genes in this way can go far beyond the changes that occur naturally during evolution, or the artificial, but slower, changes brought about by traditional selective breeding.
Other areas of modern biotechnology that do not necessarily involve genetic engineering include the use of enzymes and bacteria in a wide range of applications, such as waste management, industrial production, food production and remediation of contaminated land. Animal breeding, pharmaceutical products and medical procedures are also benefiting from advances in biotechnology.
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Responses
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| Author: Karthika M 19 May 2008 | Member Level: Gold Points : 2 |
It is useful.Thank you.
| | Author: Vidya 22 May 2008 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 | useful article
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