BIOTECHNOLOGY
How do we use microorganisms/microbes on food process?
Microorganisms are used to change one substance to another which is used as food, such as milk to yoghurt and cheese, sugar to wine and bread.
Fermented Dairy Products : Fermented milk is produced by inoculating pasteurised milk with specific culture of microorganisms.
3 Fungi and Bacteria!
Molds!
Mushrooms!
Yeasts!
Although yeast are single-celled organisms, they possess a cellular organisation similar to that of higher organisms, including humans.
This classifies them as eukaryotic organisms, unlike their single-celled counterparts, bacteria, which do not have a nucleus and are considered prokaryotes.
Scientists have found a new way to harvest psilocybin, the psychedelic compound typically found in mushrooms.
They've engineered bacteria to produce psilocybin in their cells and poop it out, in gram-scale concentrations that are higher than any other bioengineered organism to date.
Mold, one type fungus, is different from plants, animals and bacteria.
Molds are eukaryotic micro-organisms that are decomposers of dead organic material such as leaves, wood and plants.
The spores and hair-like bodies of individual old colonies are too small for us to see without a microscope.
Pros & Cons of Biotechnology!
Pros!
It can improve health and reduce hunger simultaneously!
It creates flexibility within the food chain!
It offers medical advancement opportunities!
It allows us to preserve resources!
It helps us minimise or eliminate waste products!
It can reduce infectious disease rates!
Cons!
It creates ab all-or-nothing approach!
It is a field of research with many unknowns!
It could ruin croplands!
It turns human life into a commodity!
It can be used for destruction!
How do we use biotechnology as medicine?
Biotechnology is common used to improve medicines due to the advantages and pieces of knowledge it provides such as understanding the genetic composition of the human spieces, foundational structure of heredity diseases manipulation and repairing of damaged genes to cure diseases.
Genetic Engineering!
Genetic Engineering is the process of using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology to alter the genetic makeup of an organism.
Traditionally, humans have manipulated genomes indirectly by controlling breeding and selecting offspring with desired traits.
Examples!
Crop plants, farm animals, and soil bacteria are some of the more prominent examples of organisms that have been subject to genetic engineering.
Genetically Modified Organisms!
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination!
Example!
Corn, Soybeans, Cotton, Potatoes, Papaya, Squash, Canola, Alfafa