Andre Michael M.

Capuyan
Nanotech Assignment

1. How do you think biotechnology give benefits to the societal needs? Does their
applications relevant in the present societal needs/conditions?
By the use of biotechnology societal needs are provided and societal problems
are solved. Some examples of the benefits of biotechnology are the creation of disease-
resistant crops and the speed up of breeding gains. Their applications are relevant in
the present societal needs because through it the societal needs are met and societal
problems are given solution. The creation of disease resistant crops makes sure that
crops would not be wasted and there would always be crops to harvest.

2. How important this biotechnology in agricultural production? Cite some advantages

and disadvantages.
Biotechnology is very important in agricultural production. The advantages of
Biotechnology in agricultural production are that it addresses the issues with regards to
food security, agriculture, drug production, and nutrition. Some disadvantages of
biotechnology are that it can threaten the survival of certain species, affects soil fertility,
and many more.

3. Describe some areas where biotech applications that are relevant in the societal
needs.
Biotech application in agriculture is relevant in the societal needs. With
biotechnology we can produce high yield crops, with high nutrients which is helpful to
the sustainability of our society. We can also speed up breeding gains and efficiency
and through this we will not experience insufficient supply of food in the market.

4. In your own understanding, does producing GMO products could help sustain
societal needs without harming our health?
Yes, I do believe that producing GMO products could help sustain societal needs
but it also has cons like harming our health. Scientist are developing GMO products in
mind that it does not harm our health. Scientist makes sure that these products are not
harmful to human and can help in solving societal issues and needs. But there are
factors that they cannot remove. GMO’s may cause allergic reaction to humans, and
may also increase antibiotic resistance.
5. What are catalysts and their role in food production?
Catalysis is an ability that just Natural World has learned. Natural catalysts are
classified as enzymes. Enzymes are protein molecules that are also known as
biocatalysts because of their ability to catalyze various biochemical and biological
reactions. The enzyme catalysis provided the initial impetus for developing synthetic
catalysts, which has now become a lifeline for industrial applications of chemical
science research. Both synthetic catalysts, such as homogeneous catalysts,
heterogeneous catalysts, and nanocatalysts, have some environmental disadvantages,
but enzymes and biocatalysts are entirely green. While its world's population continues
to grow, so do the world's food demands. Enzyme catalysis is the most
promising/complex area of catalytic science, with the potential to solve the world's food
crisis and make food affordable to all. Enzymes are widely used to process and store
food materials in various food industries, including baking, dairy, and starch processing,
brewing, and beverages. Fundamental aspects of enzymes, a mechanistic description
of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and their importance in the food processing industry are
discussed in this chapter.