🌸Chapter 10
Biotechnology: Biotechnology & Its Applications
(Biology Notes)
1. Introduction to Biotechnology
Definition:
Biotechnology is the application of technology to biology, particularly
the manipulation of living organisms or their components to produce
useful products, improve plants and animals, or develop new medical therapies.
Key NCERT Keyword: “Manipulation of living systems to develop products.”
Branches of Biotechnology:
1.
Red
Biotechnology:
Medical and healthcare applications (e.g., vaccines, gene therapy).
2.
Green
Biotechnology:
Agriculture-related applications (e.g., genetically modified crops).
3.
White
Biotechnology:
Industrial applications (e.g., biofuels, enzymes).
4.
Blue
Biotechnology:
Marine and aquatic environment applications.
2. Microbes in Biotechnology
Microorganisms are widely used because they grow fast,
are easy to manipulate, and produce various useful products.
Examples:
- Bacteria: E. coli, Lactobacillus
– insulin production, lactic acid.
- Fungi: Saccharomyces cerevisiae
– alcohol, enzymes.
- Algae: Chlorella – biofuels,
food supplements.
Diagram:
Microbe applications in biotech (show bacteria, fungi, algae with products).
3. Principles of Biotechnology
Biotechnology is based on several principles:
1.
Genetic
Engineering:
Manipulating genes for desired traits.
2.
Tissue
Culture: Growing
plant or animal cells in artificial media.
3.
Fermentation
Technology:
Using microbes to produce industrial products.
4.
Cloning: Producing genetically identical
organisms.
5.
DNA
Recombinant Technology:
Combining DNA from different sources.
NCERT Keywords: “Gene manipulation, recombinant DNA, cloning.”
4. Techniques in Biotechnology
A. Recombinant DNA Technology
- Definition: Combining DNA from two
different sources to create a new genetic combination.
- Steps:
1.
Isolation
of gene of interest.
2.
Cutting
gene and vector DNA using restriction enzymes.
3.
Ligation
using DNA ligase.
4.
Transformation
into host organism.
5.
Screening
and selection of recombinants.
- Applications:
o Production of insulin, human growth
hormone, clotting factors.
o Genetically modified crops resistant
to pests.
Diagram:
Recombinant DNA production process.
B. Gene Therapy
- Definition: Treating genetic disorders by inserting
a normal gene into a patient’s cells.
- Examples:
- Severe combined immunodeficiency
(SCID).
- Haemophilia.
C. Stem Cell Technology
- Stem cells: Undifferentiated cells that
can develop into specialized cells.
- Applications:
- Regeneration of damaged
tissues/organs.
- Treating leukemia using bone
marrow transplantation.
D. Microbial Biotechnology
- Fermentation technology: Microbes convert substrates
into valuable products.
- Examples:
- Alcohol from sugars using
yeast.
- Antibiotics like penicillin
using Penicillium fungus.
- Single Cell Protein (SCP): Microbial biomass rich in
protein, used as food/feed.
E. Plant Biotechnology
1.
Plant
Tissue Culture:
o Growing plant cells, tissues, or
organs in nutrient media under sterile conditions.
o Applications: Rapid multiplication of
disease-free plants (cloning).
2.
Genetically
Modified (GM) Plants:
o Bt Cotton: Contains Bacillus thuringiensis
gene for pest resistance.
o Golden Rice: Enriched with Vitamin A.
Diagram:
Steps in plant tissue culture – Explant → Callus → Regeneration → Hardening →
Field planting.
F. Animal Biotechnology
- Transgenic animals: Animals carrying foreign
genes.
- Applications:
- Production of therapeutic
proteins (e.g., human insulin in transgenic mice).
- Dairy cows with improved milk
yield.
- Cloning:
- Example: Dolly the sheep
(first mammal cloned from adult somatic cell).
5. Industrial Applications of
Biotechnology
1.
Pharmaceutical
Industry:
Production of antibiotics, vaccines, hormones.
2.
Food
Industry:
o Fermented foods (cheese, yogurt,
beer).
o Production of enzymes for food
processing.
3.
Environmental
Biotechnology:
o Biodegradation of pollutants using
microbes.
o Wastewater treatment using bacterial
consortia.
4.
Agricultural
Biotechnology:
o Pest-resistant crops.
o Biofertilizers using nitrogen-fixing
bacteria.
6. Bioethics & Safety Measures
- Ethical issues: Cloning, GM crops, gene
therapy.
- Biosafety levels (BSL): Laboratory containment
protocols (BSL-1 to BSL-4).
- Concerns: Gene misuse, ecological
imbalance, antibiotic resistance.
NCERT Keywords: “Ethical issues, biosafety, GM organisms.”
7. Important Definitions for Exams
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Biotechnology |
Use of biological systems to develop products or
processes. |
|
Genetic Engineering |
Direct manipulation of an organism's genes. |
|
Recombinant DNA |
DNA molecule formed by combining DNA from two sources. |
|
Stem Cells |
Undifferentiated cells capable of differentiation. |
|
Transgenic Organism |
Organism containing foreign genes. |
|
Cloning |
Production of genetically identical organisms. |
|
Fermentation |
Microbial conversion of substrates into products. |
|
Biofertilizer |
Microbes used to enhance soil fertility. |
8. Important Diagrams (for Board
& NEET)
1.
Recombinant
DNA technology process
2.
Plant
tissue culture steps
3.
Microbial
fermentation setup
4.
Stem
cell differentiation chart
5.
GM
plant creation
9. Key Points for Quick Revision
- Biotechnology = living
organisms + technology → useful products.
- Applications in healthcare,
agriculture, industry, environment.
- Recombinant DNA → insulin, vaccines, GM crops.
- Plant/Animal tissue culture → cloning, transgenic animals.
- Fermentation technology → alcohol, antibiotics, SCP.
- Ethical issues and biosafety
levels are important for board exams.
10. NCERT Keywords to Remember
- Biotechnology, Genetic
Engineering, Recombinant DNA, Gene Therapy, Stem Cells, Cloning,
Transgenic, Fermentation, GM Plants, Bioremediation.
✅ Exam Tip:
- Draw at least 2–3 diagrams;
diagrams fetch 2–3 marks easily.
- Memorize definitions, applications,
and examples.
- Practice NCERT-based
objective & subjective questions for NEET and Board exams.
