Applications of Biotechnology

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Genetic Engineering Noun

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[juh-net-ik en-juh-neer-ing]

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Genetic Engineering

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The process of making direct changes to an organism's genome in order to alter its specific traits or characteristics.

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Example: A specific gene from one organism's DNA is cut out and inserted into the DNA (plasmid) of another organism, like a bacterium, to produce a desired protein.

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Genome Noun

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[jee-nohm]

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Genome

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The complete set of genetic material, including all of its genes, present in a cell or organism.

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Example: This image shows a karyotype, which is an organized picture of all the chromosomes from a single cell, representing the complete genome packaged into structures.

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Genetically Modified (GM) Adjective

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[juh-net-ik-lee mod-uh-fahyd]

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Genetically Modified (GM)

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Describes an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce new traits.

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Example: This diagram shows how Golden Rice is genetically modified by adding genes from corn and bacteria to produce β-carotene, a nutrient.

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Bt toxin Noun

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[bee-tee tok-sin]

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Bt toxin

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A protein produced by bacteria that is toxic to certain insects, often engineered into crops for pest resistance.

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Example: This diagram shows that the Bt toxin is a crystal protein found inside the spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis.

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Herbicide Noun

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[hur-buh-sahyd]

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Herbicide

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A chemical substance specifically designed and used to destroy unwanted plants, particularly weeds, without harming desired crops.

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Example: A tractor sprays a chemical substance, an herbicide, over a field of crops to kill unwanted weeds without harming the plants.

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Transgenic Adjective

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[trans-jen-ik]

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Transgenic

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Describes an organism that contains genetic material from an unrelated organism which has been artificially introduced into its genome.

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Example: A new gene (DNA) is injected into an organism's cell, and the resulting organism, like this mouse, now carries that new gene.

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Beta-carotene Noun

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[bay-tuh-kair-uh-teen]

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Beta-carotene

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An organic, red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits that is a precursor to vitamin A (provitamin A).

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Example: This diagram shows how beta-carotene from foods like carrots is absorbed by intestinal cells and converted into Vitamin A by a specific enzyme.

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Recombinant-DNA Noun

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[ree-kom-buh-nuhnt dee-en-ey]

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Recombinant-DNA

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DNA molecules formed by laboratory methods to bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating new genetic combinations.

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Example: A target gene, like the one for insulin, is inserted into a plasmid (a small circle of DNA) to create a new, combined piece of 'recombinant DNA'.

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Aquaculture Noun

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[ak-wuh-kuhl-cher]

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Aquaculture

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The controlled cultivation or farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants.

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Example: This diagram shows a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), a method of fish farming where water is cleaned, treated, and reused in a continuous cycle.

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Biotechnology Noun

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[bahy-oh-tek-nol-uh-jee]

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Biotechnology

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The technological application of living systems, organisms, or their derivatives to develop or create products for specific uses.

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Example: This diagram shows plant tissue culture, an application of biotechnology where a small piece of a plant is grown into a full new plant in a lab.