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Biotechnology

Biotechnology: Vaccination, Biosensors, Bochemistry, Microbiology, Genetic Engineering etc.

Biotechnology implies the use of living organisms or enzymes from organisms to supply the merchandise and tactics beneficial to humans. In easy phrases, it’s for the usage of biology to resolve issues and make beneficial merchandise. It is a commercial utility of residing organisms or enzymes and their organic tactics along with biochemistry, microbiology and genetic engineering to make the high-quality use of the microorganisms for humankind’s benefit. The Basic concept for production of curd, bread, and wine, involves  the growing of microorganisms in a medium and includes  biotechnological techniques. For example, in vitro fertilization is the main goal of a test-tube baby, synthesizing a gene and the use of it, growing a DNA vaccine, or correcting a faulty gene are all a part of biotechnology. Before we delve into deeper topics, allow us to apprehend some vital phrases often utilized in biotechnology.

Terms Related to Bio-Technology

TermDescription
Cells
  • The crucial structural and practical unit of all residing organisms.
  • Everything much less than a whole shape of a cellular does now no longer make sure unbiased residing.
  • All creatures are composed of cells. Some are composed of an unmarried cell and are known as unicellular organisms, even as others, like us, composed of many cells, are known as multicellular organisms.
  • Inside each cellular is a dense membrane-sure shape known as the nucleus. It carries the chromosomes, which in turn incorporate the genetic material, DNA.
  • Eukaryotic Cells – have a membrane-sure nucleus.
  • Prokaryotic cells – lack a membrane-sure nucleus.
  • Cytoplasm – this is a semi-fluid matrix that occupies the cellular quantity in each prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. The cytoplasm is the leading area of cell sports in each plant and animal cell. Numerous chemical reactions occur in the cytoplasm to preserve the cellular state in the ‘homeostasis.’
DNA
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that accommodates the organic records It makes every species unique.
  • DNA records are exceeded from person organisms to their offspring throughout reproduction.
  • DNA code accommodates 4 forms of chemical constructing blocks, adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine, abbreviated with the letters A, T, C and G.
Gene
  • The practical unit of inheritance.
  • A gene is a nucleic acid segment containing the records important to supply a practical product, commonly a protein.
Vaccination
  • Vaccination is an easy and stable technique of protecting humans in opposition to dangerous illnesses earlier than they touch them.
  •  It makes use of one’s body’s herbal defenses to construct resistance to precise infections and makes their immune system stronger.
Stem cells
  • Special human cells can become many exceptional cellular types. It can vary from muscle cells to mind cells.
  • In a few cases, they also can restore broken tissues.
  • Researchers agree that stem cellular-primarily based remedies might also additionally sooner or later be used to deal with severe ailments along with paralysis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Genetic engineering
  • Direct managing of DNA to modify an organism’s capabilities in a selected way.
  • It involves extracting DNA from an organism’s genome and mixing it with the DNA of some other individual.
Gene remedy
  • Gene remedy is to introduce DNA right into an affected person to deal with a genetic disease.
  • The new DNA commonly carries a functioning gene to accurately assess the consequences of a disease-inflicting mutation.
Genome resource bank
  • It is a frozen repository of organic substances along with sperm and embryos, tissue, blood merchandise, DNA, etc.
  •  It is used as a conservation device for protecting and maintaining biodiversity.
Biopiracy
  • Biopiracy is described because of the unlawful elimination of organic assets without legitimate sanction via means of companies or multinational businesses from the worried countries/much less prosperous humans.
Biosensors
  • It is a brief shape of an organic sensor.
  • Biosensors are gadgets used to locate the presence or awareness of organic material, along with a biomolecule, an organic shape or a microorganism.
  • Depending on their precise utility, biosensors also are referred to as immunosensors, optrodes, resonant mirrors, chemical canaries, biochips, glucometers and biocomputers.
Etical issue with BiotechnologyEthics standards for biotechnology experiments which involve manipulation of Genes of an organism must be regulated by the Governments. For which in India an agency called GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) makes decisions regarding the ethical standards for GM research and Further analyzes the facts regarding the safety of the ecosystem. For Example, a variety of Rice rich in Vit A have been introduced to mitigate the hunger with nutrition of such a large population. While the approval of BT brinjal still not given by GEAC for the farming as It attracted large agitation by NGO as it will be harmful for the biodiversity and insect population. At the same time BT Cotton was approved by GEAC for commercial cultivation in 2002. After that none of the GM crops is approved by GEAC for commercial cultivation.

Conclusion

The newly born subject, combining biology with modern technology has given many useful products to humans such as medicines, GM crops, etc. Its application could be a major development tool for all countries. Also, biotechnology which is entwined with culture and socio-ethical values, could be used to solve future problems such as food and water insecurity, which obstructs national development and threatens peace in developing countries.

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Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

Define the term biotechnology.

Ans. The use of microorganisms and living organisms in molecular biology for advancement of applications in various ...Read full

How is DNA related to biotechnology?

Ans. Deoxyribonucleic acid is a polymer that carries genetic instructions in all living things. It forms a double h...Read full

What is meant by genetic engineering?

Ans. Managing DNA to modify an organism’s capabilities in a selected way. It involves extracting DNA from the ...Read full

Explain the genetic engineering process.

Ans. A circular DNA or plasmid is extracted from a bacteria or yeast cell, a part is cut by it with the use of molec...Read full

What is biopiracy?

Ans. The commercial and unlawful elimination of organic assets without legitimate sanction. It is a serious issue wh...Read full