Chapter 21 - Biotechnology

WHAT IS BIOTECHNOLOGY

• Reasons why biotechnology and genetic engineering often make use of microorganisms, such as bacteria and microscopic fungi:
  • bacteria and fungi are very small and easily grown in a laboratory.
  • no one minds what is done to bacteria and fungi - no ethical issues.
  • shares the same kind of genetic material - bacteria has same genetic code as humans.
  • have plasmids - easy to transfer and move genes from cells to cells.

• Yeast is able to respire anaerobically. When it does, it produces ethanol and carbon dioxide:
  •  glucose = ethanol + carbon dioxide

• The main advantage of using biofuel is that it is a sustainable resource. It also helps to reduce the amount of carbon doxide that we add to the atmosphere.

MAKING USE OF ENZYMES

• Biological washing powders contain enzymes, as well as detergents. 
• Some of the enzymes are proteases, which catalyse the breakdown of protein molecules (e.g. blood stains).
• Some of the enzymes are lipases, which catalyse the breakdown of fats to fatty acids and glycerol. 

• Fruit juices are extracted using an enzyme called pectinase. 
• Pectinase is widely used commercially both in the extraction of juice from fruit, and in making the juice clear rather than cloudy. 

• Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk:
  • lactose = glucose + galactose

• People, who are lactose-free, bodies stopped making lactase meaning they cannot digest lactose.
• Milk…