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Biotechnology
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- Humans have changed the genes of living things by breeding for thousands of years.
- Biotechnology is when we use our knowledge of biological process to solve problems.
- We use products improved with biotechnology everyday from detergents to medicines.
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Discussion Questions
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Before VideoWhat is biotechnology?ANSWER
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Biotechnology is when we use natural biological processes to solve a human problem.
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People using prosthetic limbs, using plants to keep soil in place, and breeding animals together to get them to look the way you want.
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Scientists use DNA to catch criminals, or to figure out who a baby belongs to.
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Humans can affect traits of other living things by mixing them together through artificial selection. We do this a lot with dogs to get breeds like goldendoodles, a mix of a poodle and a golden retriever.
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I think biotechnology is used to make medicine or like when someone has to get chemotherapy.
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When I used my finger to unlock my phone. I washed my hands with antibacterial soap.
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After VideoHow can biotechnology be used to develop medical treatments and give an example?ANSWER
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Scientists used bacteria and added just one extra gene to it to develop insulin to treat people with diabetes.
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DNA is the genetic material that is found in the cells of living things, genes are specific pieces of DNA that give living things their traits.
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In sexual reproduction, which includes most plants and animals, offspring get their genes from their parents. They get half from mom and half from dad.
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Artificial selection is used to make something look or taste a specific way. One way we use artificial selection is to make animals, like sheep, the way we want.
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Plants can be bred for different traits that can eventually lead to a new kind of food. For example kale, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts all used to be the same plant, and now they have evolved to be all different plants.
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Some laundry soaps contain special enzymes. Those enzymes are a protein that we find in many plants and animals. Some enzymes are really good at breaking down stains, so scientists have figured out a way to add them to laundry soap to make it more effective.
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Vocabulary
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Biotechnology
DEFINE
When humans use natural biological processes to solve a human problem.
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Artificial selection
DEFINE
A process when humans choose specific traits they want and breed organisms together for those specific traits.
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Trait
DEFINE
A characteristic belonging to a population or organism. Humans can manipulate traits through artificial selection.
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Gene
DEFINE
Part of a chromosome that is inherited from the parent(s) and determine some of an organism’s characteristics.
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Diabetes
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Is a group of diseases that causes too much sugar in the bloodstream. Diabetes can usually be controlled by insulin.
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Bacteria
DEFINE
Microscopic, single cell organism that can be found in diverse environments. They can be used to make insulin to treat people with diabetes.
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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
DEFINE
Genetic material that holds the unique code for each organism.
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Gene therapy
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Doctors inject healthy DNA into a person’s cell to replace damaged DNA for specific disorders.
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Biochemistry
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A branch of science that studies the chemical processes in biological (living) systems.
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Molecular biologist
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A scientist who studies the processes that allow cells to work.
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Biotechnology
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Reading Material
Download as PDF Download PDF View as Separate PageWHAT IS BIOTECHNOLOGY?Biotechnology is when humans use their knowledge of biological processes to solve problems. One example is using DNA to solve a murder. Another example is improving plants to make them resistant to drought or allow plants to make vitamins that people in developing countries need. As with any new technology, with great power comes great responsibility.
To better understand biotechnology…
WHAT IS BIOTECHNOLOGY?. Biotechnology is when humans use their knowledge of biological processes to solve problems. One example is using DNA to solve a murder. Another example is improving plants to make them resistant to drought or allow plants to make vitamins that people in developing countries need. As with any new technology, with great power comes great responsibility. To better understand biotechnology…LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Artificial Selection
Artificial Selection is the process in which humans decide what traits they want an organism to have. Humans artificially select for traits in both plants and animals for many different reasons, which may include designing a specific kind of sheep that makes fluffy wool, or making plants that contain extra vitamins.
Artificial Selection Artificial Selection is the process in which humans decide what traits they want an organism to have. Humans artificially select for traits in both plants and animals for many different reasons, which may include designing a specific kind of sheep that makes fluffy wool, or making plants that contain extra vitamins.DNA and Genes
DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid and is the genetic material found in the cells of all living organisms. Genes are specific sections of DNA that hold the code for certain traits.
DNA and Genes DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid and is the genetic material found in the cells of all living organisms. Genes are specific sections of DNA that hold the code for certain traits.Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy is a relatively new medical treatment that can be used to treat certain disorders and diseases. Gene therapy can be done through adding genes or replacing genes. Either way, the goal is for the body to make more heathy cells in place of the ones that have been damaged.
Gene Therapy Gene Therapy is a relatively new medical treatment that can be used to treat certain disorders and diseases. Gene therapy can be done through adding genes or replacing genes. Either way, the goal is for the body to make more heathy cells in place of the ones that have been damaged.Diabetes and Insulin
Diabetes encompasses a variety of disorders that affect an animal’s ability to produce insulin, the chemical that helps control blood sugar levels in the body. Insulin used to be harvested from the pancreas of cows and pigs for human use, but is now synthesized in high quantities using a biologically enhanced bacterium.
Diabetes and Insulin Diabetes encompasses a variety of disorders that affect an animal’s ability to produce insulin, the chemical that helps control blood sugar levels in the body. Insulin used to be harvested from the pancreas of cows and pigs for human use, but is now synthesized in high quantities using a biologically enhanced bacterium.Careers in Science: Molecular Biologist
A molecular biologist is a scientist that studies things at the cellular and molecular level to figure out cellular processes. Molecular biologists can work in many different areas including; medical research, agricultural research, biomedical technology, and genetics.
Careers in Science: Molecular Biologist A molecular biologist is a scientist that studies things at the cellular and molecular level to figure out cellular processes. Molecular biologists can work in many different areas including; medical research, agricultural research, biomedical technology, and genetics. -
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Give two detailed examples of things made with the help of biotechnology. How could they help people?
Why do scientists often use bacteria to produce medicines?
In the future, biotechnology could be used to select traits in unborn babies. Should this be allowed? Explain your stance.
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