Cell Biology & Biotechnology

1

Supply the missing words and complete the following statements.

Answers:

a. Techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer are primarily employed for _____________

animal husbandry

Complete sentence: Techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer are primarily employed for animal husbandry.

b. _____________ represents the groundbreaking event in biotechnology following cloning.

Stem cell research

Complete sentence: Stem cell research represents the groundbreaking event in biotechnology following cloning.

c. The ailment associated with the creation of insulin is _____________

diabetes

Complete sentence: The ailment associated with the creation of insulin is diabetes.

d. The Government of India initiated the NKM-16 to boost _____________ productivity.

aquatic organism/fishery

Complete sentence: The Government of India initiated the NKM-16 to boost aquatic organism/fishery productivity.

White Revolution

Dairy

Verghese Kurien

Blue Revolution

Fisheries

Hiralal Chaudhuri

Green Revolution

Agriculture

M.S. Swaminathan

2

Match the corresponding pairs.

Answer:

Please complete this matching question from your textbook.

Common Biotechnology Terms for Matching:

Genetic Engineering: Direct manipulation of an organism's genes
Cloning: Producing genetically identical copies
Stem Cells: Undifferentiated cells with potential to become various cell types
BT Cotton: Genetically modified cotton resistant to bollworms
Golden Rice: Genetically modified rice with beta-carotene
Recombinant DNA: DNA formed by combining sequences from different sources
Fermentation: Metabolic process used in food production

3

Rectify the following incorrect statements and rephrase them.

Answers:

Incorrect Statement

a) Alterations to the cell's genetic material are executed in the non-genetic technique.

Corrected Statement

a) Changes in genes of the cells are brought about in genetic engineering.

Explanation:

Genetic engineering involves direct manipulation of an organism's genes, while non-genetic techniques refer to traditional breeding methods that don't directly alter DNA.

Incorrect Statement

b) A gene sourced from Bacillus thuringiensis is incorporated into soybeans.

Corrected Statement

b) Gene from Bacillus thuringiensis is introduced into cotton.

Explanation:

The BT gene from Bacillus thuringiensis produces a toxin that kills bollworms, making BT cotton resistant to these pests. While BT genes have been introduced to other crops, the statement specifically refers to the well-known BT cotton.

BT Gene Transfer Process

Source:
Bacillus thuringiensis

→

Gene:
Cry protein gene

→

Transfer Method:
Genetic engineering

→

Target Crop:
Cotton plant

→

Result:
BT Cotton
(Pest-resistant)

4

Compose a brief note on the following:

Answers:

(A) Biotechnology: Vocational applications.

Agriculture

Genetically Modified Crops (GM Crops)
BT Cotton (pest-resistant)
Golden Rice (vitamin A enriched)
Disease-resistant varieties
Hybrid seed production

Animal Husbandry

Artificial insemination
Embryo transfer technology
Improved livestock breeds
Enhanced milk, meat, egg, wool production
Disease resistance in animals

Human Healthcare

Gene therapy for genetic disorders
Insulin production for diabetes
Growth hormones (somatotropin)
Interferon for viral infections
Vaccine development
Diagnosis of heart diseases

Industrial Products

Fermentation for alcohol production
Enzyme production (detergents)
Organic acids and solvents
Biodegradable plastics
Biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel)

Environmental Solutions

Sewage and waste treatment
Bioremediation of oil spills
Pollution control
Waste-to-energy conversion
Composting technology

Food Technology

Bread and bakery products
Cheese and yogurt
Wine and beer
Vinegar production
Food preservation

Forensic Science

DNA fingerprinting
Criminal identification
Paternity testing
Wildlife forensics
Disaster victim identification

(B) The significance of therapeutic plants.

Medicinal Plants and Their Uses

Therapeutic plants encompass diverse flora utilized for medicinal purposes in traditional and modern medicine systems.

Wound Healing

Black pepper, aloe, cinnamon, safflower, sandalwood, ginseng - used for treating boils, sores, and wounds.

Blood Purifiers

Herbs that modify or remove toxins from the body; also called 'blood cleansers' in traditional medicine.

Antibiotic Properties

Turmeric effectively stops proliferation of harmful microbes, bacteria, and germs due to its curcumin content.

Fever Reduction

Antipyretic plants like safflower, sandalwood, black pepper, and Chirayta used in traditional Indian medicine.

Kitchen Garden Herbs

Basil, cilantro, apple mint, thyme, fennel, chives, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary - provide aesthetic appeal, aroma, taste, and attract pollinators.

5

Respond to the following question in your own words.

Answers:

(A) Which items produced via biotechnology do you consume in your everyday life?

Corn (GM varieties)

Papaya (virus-resistant)

Golden Rice (vitamin A enriched)

Brinjal (BT brinjal)

Cauliflower

Cheese (rennet enzyme)

Yogurt (bacterial culture)

Bread (yeast fermentation)

Vinegar (acetic acid bacteria)

Soy products

Vitamin supplements

Enzyme-containing detergents

Additional Biotechnology Products in Daily Life:

Medicines: Insulin, antibiotics, vaccines
Personal Care: Enzyme-based toothpastes, skin creams
Household: Bio-detergents, biodegradable plastics
Food Additives: Vitamins, amino acids, sweeteners

(B) What safety measures should you adopt when spraying chemical pesticides?

Pesticide Safety Precautions

Personal Protection: Always use gloves, masks, goggles, and protective clothing to shield hands, mouth, nose, eyes, and ears.
Correct Concentration: Use only the prescribed concentration or amount as directed on the label.
Weather Conditions:
- Avoid spraying during very hot, sunny weather
- Do not spray when there are strong winds
- Refrain from applying immediately before or right after rainfall
Spraying Direction: Never spray in the direction opposite to the wind (always spray downwind).
Equipment Safety: Containers and buckets used for mixing pesticides must never be used for household purposes.
Field Entry: Prevent workers, children, and animals from entering treated fields immediately after application.
Container Disposal: Empty pesticide containers should never be reused for any purpose and must be disposed of properly.
Storage: Store pesticides in original containers with intact labels, away from food and out of reach of children.

(C) Why are some human organs considered extremely precious?

Valuable Human Organs

Post-Mortem Donation Only: Organs like heart, liver, and eyes can only be donated after death, making them extremely precious due to limited availability.
Life-Saving Potential: These organs can save or dramatically improve lives when transplanted to patients with organ failure.
Embryonic Stem Cells: Unique cells found in early embryos that can differentiate into any cell type in the body, holding immense therapeutic potential.
Limited Alternatives: For many organ failures, transplantation is the only cure, unlike conditions treatable with medication.
Short Preservation Time: Most organs must be transplanted within hours of removal, creating logistical challenges.
Immunological Matching: Requires close genetic matching between donor and recipient to prevent rejection.
Ethical Considerations: The source and acquisition of these organs involve complex ethical questions.

(D) Explain the significance of fruit processing in human existence.

Importance of Fruit Processing

Daily Consumption: We incorporate various processed fruit products like jellies, jams, juices, and preserves into our daily meals.
Perishability: Fresh fruits are highly perishable agricultural commodities that spoil quickly due to high moisture content and enzymatic activity.
Year-Round Availability: Processing ensures fruits can be consumed throughout the year, regardless of seasonal availability.
Processing Techniques:
- Canning and bottling
- Drying and dehydration
- Freezing and cold storage
- Preparation of murabba (fruit preserves)
- Juice extraction and concentration
- Jam, jelly, and marmalade making
Nutrition Preservation: Modern processing methods help retain nutritional value while extending shelf life.
Economic Value: Adds value to agricultural produce, reduces post-harvest losses, and creates employment opportunities.
Convenience: Provides ready-to-eat and easy-to-store fruit products for urban lifestyles.

(E) Elaborate on the concept of immunization (vaccination).

Immunization (Vaccination)

Definition: Process of injecting a vaccine into the body to establish either lasting or temporary resistance to a specific disease or pathogen.
Traditional Vaccines: Historically made using weakened or killed pathogens, which posed slight risk of disease contraction in some recipients.
Modern Biotechnology Vaccines: Developed as safer alternatives using pure antigen proteins instead of whole pathogens.
Mechanism:
- Vaccine contains antigens (specific proteins) from the pathogen
- These antigens activate the immune system without causing disease
- Immune system produces antibodies and memory cells
- If exposed to actual pathogen later, body recognizes and fights it quickly
Advantages of Biotechnology Vaccines:
- Safer with minimal risk of infection
- More thermostable (resistant to temperature changes)
- Longer shelf life
- Can be produced more consistently and in larger quantities
Examples: Hepatitis B vaccine, Polio vaccine (inactivated), HPV vaccine
Herd Immunity: When enough people are vaccinated, it protects those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

6-7

Complete the diagram charts.

Answers:

Please complete questions 6-7 (diagram charts) from your textbook.

Common Biotechnology Diagram Topics:

Genetic Engineering Process: Isolation → Insertion → Transformation → Expression
Fermentation Process: Substrate → Microorganism → Fermentation → Product
DNA Fingerprinting Steps: Sample collection → DNA extraction → PCR → Electrophoresis → Analysis
Tissue Culture Steps: Explant → Sterilization → Culture medium → Callus formation → Plant regeneration
Vaccine Production: Antigen identification → Gene isolation → Expression in host → Purification → Formulation

8

Identify the connections and complete the following correlations.

Answers:

Insulin : Diabetes :: Interleukin : _____________

Cancer

Explanation: Insulin treats diabetes, Interleukin is used in cancer treatment.

Interferon : _____________ :: Erythropoietin : Anemia

Viral infection

Explanation: Interferon treats viral infections, Erythropoietin treats anemia.

_____________ : Dwarfness :: Factor VIII : Hemophilia

Somatostatin

Explanation: Somatostatin (growth hormone) treats dwarfness, Factor VIII treats hemophilia.

White revolution : Dairy :: Blue revolution : _____________

Aquatic organisms/Fishery

Explanation: White revolution focused on dairy production, Blue revolution focused on fisheries.

Biotechnology Products and Their Uses:

Insulin: Hormone for diabetes treatment (produced by recombinant E. coli)
Interleukin: Immune system protein used in cancer immunotherapy
Interferon: Antiviral protein used to treat viral infections like hepatitis
Erythropoietin: Hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, treats anemia
Somatostatin/Growth Hormone: Treats growth disorders and dwarfness
Factor VIII: Blood clotting factor for hemophilia treatment

9

Create a comparative essay on the advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology.

Answer:

Advantages of Biotechnology

Increased Agricultural Yield: Facilitates higher production per hectare despite limited agricultural land area.
Disease Resistance: Engineered disease-resistant crop varieties reduce expenditure on disease management (pesticides, fungicides).
Faster Growth Cycles: Development of quick-fruiting varieties leads to increased annual output and multiple harvests.
Stress Tolerance: Creation of strains that can endure temperature fluctuations, water scarcity, and soil fertility changes.
Nutritional Enhancement: Biofortified crops like Golden Rice (vitamin A) address malnutrition.
Medical Advancements: Production of insulin, vaccines, antibiotics, and gene therapies for previously untreatable conditions.
Environmental Benefits: Bioremediation cleans pollutants; biodegradable products reduce plastic waste.
Food Security: Helps meet growing global food demand through improved crop varieties and animal breeds.

Disadvantages of Biotechnology

High Costs: Genetic engineering techniques involve very high research, development, and implementation costs.
Viral Gene Risks: When viral genes are used in GM crops, they could potentially combine with crop genes to create more harmful viruses.
Environmental Hazards: GM crops have been observed to harm non-target organisms like monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Biodiversity Loss: Widespread adoption of few high-yielding varieties reduces genetic diversity in crops.
Antibiotic Resistance: Use of antibiotic resistance genes as markers in genetic engineering could contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Ethical Concerns: Issues regarding gene patents, "playing God" with life forms, and animal welfare in transgenic research.
Socioeconomic Issues: Corporate control of seeds through patents may disadvantage small farmers in developing countries.
Unknown Long-term Effects: Potential long-term health and environmental impacts of GM foods are not fully understood.
Gene Flow: Genes from GM crops can spread to wild relatives through cross-pollination, creating "superweeds".

Balanced Perspective:

While biotechnology offers tremendous potential for solving global challenges in food security, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, it must be developed and applied responsibly with proper regulation, risk assessment, and consideration of ethical implications. The future of biotechnology lies in maximizing its benefits while minimizing potential harms through careful scientific oversight and public engagement.