CH.

20
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND Biology
GENETIC
ENGINEERING
 Both processes often make use of bacteria because of their ability to
make complex molecules (eg. proteins) and their rapid reproduction rate.

20.1 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND

GENETIC ENGINEERING
Biotechnology is the application of biological organisms, systems or
processes to manufacturing and service industries.
Genetic engineering involves the transfer of genes from one organism
to (usually) an unrelated species.
20.1 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
GENETIC ENGINEERING
Bacteria can be grown and
manipulated without raising ethical
concerns
They have a genetic code that is the
same as all other organisms, so genes
from other organism can be
successfully transferred into bacterial
DNA
Bacterial DNA is in the form of a
circular strand and also small circular
pieces called plasmids.
20.1 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
GENETIC ENGINEERING
Scientists have developed techniques to cut
open these plasmids and insert sections of
DNA from other organisms into them
When the bacterium divides, the DNA in
the modified plasmid is copied, including
the ‘foreign’ DNA
This may contain a gene to make a
particular protein such as insulin, which can
be extracted and used as a medicine to treat
diabetes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrTCjp2015M

20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biotechnology involves using microorganisms and
biological substances to carry out functions in
manufacturing processes
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
FERMENTATION: ANAEROBIC
RESPIRATION

chemical process by
which molecules such as
glucose are broken down
anaerobically (without
involvement of oxygen)
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
YEAST- CARBON DIOXIDE
Yeast is a microorganism which can
respire anaerobically (without
oxygen) to release carbon dioxide
and ethanol.
Carbon dioxide: used in bread-
making to make dough rise. Gluten
(protein) gives the dough a sticky,
plastic texture, which holds the
bubbles of gas
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
YEAST- ETHANOL
Ethanol: used to make biofuels that
are used as an alternative to fossil
fuels
Crops to ferment: corn, soy, oil
palm, sugar cane, sunflower
Downside:
expensive due to the energy used to grow
the crops, extracting the sugar and
converting it to ethanol
loss of habitat due to deforestation to
plant the crops.
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
ENZYME
Enzymes can be produced by
commercial fermentation using
readily available feedstocks such as
corn-steep liquor or molasses.
Fungi (e.g. Aspergillus) or bacteria
(e.g. Bacillus) are two of the
commonest organisms used to
produce the enzymes.
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
ENZYME- PECTINASE

pectinase breaks down pectin,

which is found in plant cell walls to
hold the cell wall together
pectinase breaks down cell walls to
release the contents of the cell,
which increases the yield of fruit
juice
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
ENZYME-BIOLOGICAL WASHING
POWDER

Biological washing powders contain enzymes

amylases break down starch
lipases break down fats and oils
proteases break down proteins
As enzymes are denatured at high temperatures
and extreme pH
it needs lower washing temperature is needed
the enzymes may not work in acidic or alkaline water
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
ENZYME- LACTOSE-FREE MILK
Lactase can be used to make
lactose-free milk. Two method can
be used:
Adding lactase to milk, so it breaks
down the lactose into glucose and
galactose
Milk is passed over lactase beads and the
lactose sugar is effectively removed.
This method avoids having the enzyme
molecules in the milk because they
remain on the beads.
 Bacteriostatic : antibiotics that stop bacteria from reproducing
Bacteriocidal: antibiotics that kill the bacteria

20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
PENICILLIUM- ANTIBIOTICS
Penicillium is a fungus used to produce penicillin
The fungus is placed in a fermenter to keep it at the optimum
temperature and pH
There is also an air inlet so that aerobic respiration can take place, and
all other microorganisms are killed to limit contamination and
competition
How antibiotics work:
Disrupt cell wall production and bacteria reproduction
Burst open bacterial cell wall
Interfere with protein synthesis
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
PENICILLIUM- ANTIBIOTICS
20.2 BIOTECHNOLOGY
PENICILLIUM- ANTIBIOTICS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfTnVx31pr0

20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING

Changing of genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or Inserting individual genes
Example:
The insertion of human genes into bacteria to produce human insulin.
The insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to herbicides and insect pests.
The insertion of genes into crop plants to provide additional vitamins
20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
BACTERIA AND RESTRICTION
ENZYMES
Bacteria can be manipulated to produce human proteins, such as insulin:
1. The gene which codes for the desired protein is located and isolated using
restriction enzymes. The isolated gene has “sticky ends”.
2. The plasmid from the bacterial cell is cut with the same restriction
enzymes. This leaves complementary sticky ends to the isolated gene.
3. The gene is inserted into the plasmid. The complementary sticky ends are
joined using the enzyme DNA ligase. This forms a recombinant plasmid.
4. This plasmid is inserted into the bacteria, which will then produce this
protein as the inserted gene is expressed.
5. The bacterial cell reproduces, making more cells which produce the
protein.
20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
PLASMID, RESTRICTION
ENZYMES, STICKY END
 20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
INSULIN PRODUCTION
Insulin was originally harvested from
animals, such as pigs, although this had
slight differences to human insulin, which
made some people allergic to it.
Genetic engineering has allowed human
insulin to be made in bacteria cells. This
produces cheap, human insulin in high
quantities.
20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
INSULIN PRODUCTION
20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
CROPS (GM CROPS)
Pest resistant plants
Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria produces a toxin that kills caterpillars and other
insect larvae
The gene for the toxin is introduced into some plant species
The plants produce the toxin and show increased resistance to attack by insect
larvae
The gene is also passed on to the plant’s offspring
Disadvantage:
 insects are developing immunity to the toxin
 pesticide residues or substances may causes allergies (allergens).
 Pest resistant plants
20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
CROPS (GM CROPS)
20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
CROPS (GM CROPS)
Herbicide resistant plants
Glyphosate can be used as herbicide because it can kill any green plant
but become harmless as soon as they reach the soil. The herbicide might
also kill the crops
A gene for an enzyme that breaks down glyphosate can be introduced
into a plant cell culture, this will leas to a reduced use of herbicides
Disadvantages
 The potential development of herbicide-resistant weeds
 Loss of biodiversity because fewer weeds survive – resulting in reduced food and
shelter for animals
 Herbicide resistant plants

20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING

GENETICALLY MODIFIED
CROPS (GM CROPS)
 20.3 GENETIC ENGINEERING
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
CROPS
Golden rice
(GM CROPS)
Advantages
Produces beta carotene which is needed by
humans in order to make vitamin A.
Used in areas where vitamin A deficiency is
common, so it can help prevent night
blindness.
Disadvantages
beta carotene levels in golden rice may not
be high enough to make a difference.  there are concerns that food from GM plants might
harm people.
there are fears that it will cross-breed with
 seed for GM plants can be expensive.
and contaminate wild rice.
 PROJECT 2021/2022
Make a video short about yourself making yogurt. Min video time is 2 mins, max 5
minutes.
The video should include:
1. Tools you use
2. Ingredients you use
3. Step by step guidance in making the yogurt plus subtitles
4. Yourself presenting the finished product.
Submission date: 20 May 2022
Watching together date: 27 May 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6GPM1BqIkI
PROJECT 2021/2022
10 groups
7 groups 2 people
3 groups 3 people