Transcript What is Biotechnology? - Arrowhead High School

WELCOME TO BIOTECH!
Now . . . What is Biotech?
What is Biotechnology?
“Biotechnology” Definition
“Bio” -
life
“ology” - study of
“technos” - tools (Greek)
Study of living organisms and their parts as tools.
NOTE: not just DNA
NOTE: its been around a really, really long time
Example #1 - Food
Yogurt, Cheese,
all made by using living organisms.
Bread, Wine, Beer
Food
CHEESE!!!
Living organism/part?
What IS an enzyme???
www.packertime.com
It’s not just for headwear anymore!!!
Food
Yogurt!!
Living organism/part?
Process?
Product?
Food
Beer, Wine,
Bread!!!
Living organism/part?
Process?
Product?
Example #2 – Traditional Agriculture
All of today’s crops, livestock, and pets were initially
produced by selective breeding
Example #3 – Modern Agriculture
Using selected genes from a wide variety of
organisms, crops and livestock can be geneticicallymodified for:
- Increased yield
- Increased nutrition
- Better taste
-Decreased use of fertilizers
and pesticides
Example #4 – Cloning
Creating living,
genetic copies of an
organism
Example #5 – Genetic Testing
Determining your DNA
sequence to predict
genetic traits you might
possess or pass to your
children.
Adult
Birth
After conception
Example #6 – Gene Therapy
Changing your genes to
eliminate a genetic
disorder
Example #7 – Pharmacogenomics
Prescribing medication based on your DNA sequence
Example #8 –
Drug production and discovery
Genetically-engineered
bacteria to produce
human insulin
Cancer medication from
a fungus that lives in the
Pacific Yew tree
Example #9 – Stem Cells
Cells that have not become a specific cell type; used
for replacing cells and studying how the body
develops
Example #10 – Bioremediation
Using living organisms to remove toxins from soil,
oil from oil-spills
Example #11 – Biofuel
Using living organisms to make ethanol from
cellulose (plant sugar).
Example #12 – Feedstocks
Using living organisms instead of petroleum to
create plastics and other chemicals.
= bio-derived chemicals