BIODIVERSITY

& GMOs
STS Lecture 10

Prepared by:
Johne Roudolph Alcala, LPT
 Lesson Objectives

At the end of the discussion, you should be able to:

• Describe biodiversity and its importance.
• Reflect on the potential problems brought by
genetically modified organisms.
• Determine the potential issues and detriments of
some issues related to society and environment.
 Levels of
Organization
Arrange the following from simple to
complex hierarchal sequence.
• Cell • Organism • Community
• Molecules • Population • Organ
• Biome • Organelle • Organ
• Tissue • Ecosystem System
• Atoms • Biosphere
Levels of Organization of Life

Atom – smallest unit of matter

Molecule – group of atoms

Organelle – functioning parts of the cell

Cell – basic unit of life

Levels of Organization of Life

Tissue – group of cells with specific functions

Organ – collection of tissues

Organ System – group of organs

Organism – an individual species

Levels of Organization of Life

Population – group of the same species

Community – group of different species

Ecosystem – a particular ecological community

Biome – major ecological community type

Biosphere – all living organisms and interaction in Earth

 Cellular Basis of Life
• All organisms are made of cells.
• Most multicellular organisms have higher levels of
organization.
oInteraction of cells determines development and
survival.
oHave specialized cells for different functions.
BIODIVERSITY
BIODIVERSITY
DEFINITION
variety of living organisms
or life forms at structural
levels (genetics, species,
and ecosystem) on Earth
 TYPES OF
BIODIVERSITY
GENETIC BIODIVERSITY
A measure of the variety of
versions of the same
species within individual
species.
Genetic Biodiversity
The greater the genetic
biodiversity within a species,
the more adaptable it is to
changing environments.

Greater genetic variation

increases a species’ chance
of survival.
 TYPES OF
BIODIVERSITY
SPECIES BIODIVERSITY
Describes the number of
different kinds of organisms
within individual
communities or ecosystems.
Species
Biodiversity
 TYPES OF
BIODIVERSITY
ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY
Specifies the number of niches,
trophic levels, and ecological
processes that capture, sustain
food webs, and recycle materials
within systems.
 Ecological
Biodiversity

Diversity of habitat
per given unit area.
How do humans
benefit from
biodiversity?
 Aesthetic
Provides
Ecosystem and
Food and
stability Existence
Medicine
values

Every component of the natural world has its own purpose

and role.
Living organisms have common ways on
how to adapt to any changes and
condition of their environment in order
to survive and continue their roles.
In case they cannot survive, species
extinction will be experienced and
observed.
 In evolutionary history, extinctions are
common due to natural processes and
phenomena but this time, human activities
directly affects and provides conditions that
endangers species lives and even worst.
Habitat Destruction

Invasive Species

Pollution
 Population

Climate Change

Over Exploitation
“If we pollute the air, water, and soil that
keeps us alive and well, and destroy the
biodiversity that allows natural systems
to function, no amount of money will
save us.”
- Suzuki David, 1936
GMOs
Recall:

Chromosomes
• It is made up of two
chromatids and each
contains sequence of
DNA.
• Each chromosome is
made up of many
genes.
• Genes are made of a
section of a long
molecule called DNA.
Recall:

Genes
• These are segments of
DNA which control the
inheritance of specific
characteristics/traits.
DNA
• It is a long continuous
strand of genetic
information.
Recall:

Genome
• The human genome
resides in 46
chromosomes.
• It comes in pair.
• It dictates the
characteristics of an
organism and can be
determined as dominant
or recessive.
 Recall:
• Our body cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
• Autosomes are homologous pairs of
chromosomes, which means that they have the
same structure.
❑For each homologous pair, one chromosome
comes from each parent.
❑Chromosome pairs 1-22 are autosomes.
 Recall:
• Chromosomes pair
#23 are sex
chromosomes.
• Sex chromosomes X
and Y determine
gender in mammals.
 Single Gene
Disorder Chromosomal Multifactorial
Caused by mutation Disorder Inheritance
in specific genes Excess or deficiency • Caused by the
• Autosomal gene of the whole combination of
disorder chromosome, genetic changes
▪ Disorder on non- chromosomal that produces the
sex chromosomes rearrangement and disease.
• X-linked disorder contiguous-gene • 5-10% in the first-
• Disorder on sex syndrome degree relatives
chromosomes
 How do humans
attain desired traits
for their pets?
 Genetic Engineering
• It refers to the artificial manipulation, modification,
and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid
molecules to modify an organism or population of
organisms.
 Process of Genetic Engineering
1. Select the desired trait from the source organism.
2. Identify the gene that expresses the desired trait from the
source organism.
3. Isolate the specific sequences for the desired trait by splicing
(cutting).
4. Insert the spliced gene with the desired trait into chromosome
of a different organism.
5. Replicate the gene in the organism and produce protein.
05/18/2022 UNIT 4 Special Issues in STS 35
Genetically
Modified Organism

• It is also known as
transgenic organism.
• GMO is an animal, plant,
or microbe whose DNA
has been altered using
genetic engineering
techniques.
 Cite some
advantages and
disadvantages of
GMO crops.
 Advantages of GMOs

GMO CAN EASIER TO CHEAPER CAN IMPROVE

CROPS ARE PRODUCE TRANSPORT NUTRITIONAL
MORE STRONGER CONTENT
APPEALING CROPS
TO EAT
 Advantages of GMOs

CAN HELP MEDICAL LESSER USE GOOD FOR

CREATE REDUCE BENEFITS OF THE
ENVIRONMENT
NEW THE CHEMICALS
PRODUCTS EFFECTS OF
GLOBAL
WARMING
 Disadvantages of GMOs

ALLERGIC MAY ANTIBIOTIC OUTCROSSING DECREASE IN

REACTIONS PRODUCE RESISTANCE BIODIVERSITY
SUPERBUGS
 The Impact of GMO to Biodiversity and
Environment

• An insect resistant GM crop could have direct toxic effect on non-

target species
• A GM crop could have an indirect effect to other species by
reducing the source of food to other wildlife such as birds
• Pest resurgence could be resulted from insect which become
resistant to chemical when used on pest tolerant GM crop
repeatedly and many increase the number of insect pest
• Creating an imbalance in nature by changing the predator/prey
ratio.
 GMOs in plants and other animals are
already in research and/or application
stages. Now, is it acceptable to you and
to your community to have Genetically
Modified Humans?
 Group Activity
Consider a subject
and how would you
like it to be
genetically modified?