- What is biotechnology?
- The application of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop products or processes for specific uses.
- What is genetic engineering?
- The manipulation of an organism’s genetic material to achieve desired traits.
- What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
- An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
- What is recombinant DNA technology?
- The process of combining DNA molecules from different sources to create genetically modified organisms or produce specific proteins.
- What is cloning?
- The production of genetically identical copies of a cell, organism, or DNA fragment.
- What is gene editing?
- The precise alteration of a specific DNA sequence within an organism’s genome using molecular tools such as CRISPR-Cas9.
- What is PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?
- A laboratory technique used to amplify and make copies of a specific DNA sequence.
- What is gene therapy?
- The introduction of genetic material into a patient’s cells to treat or prevent genetic disorders.
- What is DNA sequencing?
- The process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule.
- What is synthetic biology?
- The design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems for specific applications.
- What is bioinformatics?
- The field of science that combines biology, computer science, and information technology to analyze and interpret biological data.
- What is a plasmid?
- A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that can replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA.
- What is a vector in biotechnology?
- A DNA molecule, such as a plasmid or virus, used to carry foreign genetic material into a host cell.
- What is a restriction enzyme?
- An enzyme that cuts DNA at specific recognition sequences, often used in genetic engineering to create recombinant DNA molecules.
- What is a transgene?
- A gene that has been artificially introduced into the genome of an organism.
- What is gene expression?
- The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, such as protein or RNA.
- What is a genetically modified crop?
- A plant whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to exhibit desirable traits, such as pest resistance or increased yield.
- What is a bioreactor?
- A controlled environment used for the growth of microorganisms or cells under specific conditions for the production of biological products.
- What is fermentation?
- The metabolic process by which microorganisms convert sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.
- What is tissue engineering?
- The field of biotechnology that involves the development of artificial tissues and organs for medical applications.
- What is pharmacogenomics?
- The study of how genetic variations affect individual responses to drugs.
- What is agricultural biotechnology?
- The application of biotechnology to improve agricultural practices and enhance crop production.
- What is environmental biotechnology?
- The application of biotechnology to address environmental issues such as pollution remediation and waste management.
- What is industrial biotechnology?
- The use of biological systems or organisms to produce industrial products, chemicals, or fuels.
- What is DNA fingerprinting?
- A technique used to identify individuals based on unique patterns in their DNA.
- What is a GMO crop?
- A crop that has been genetically modified to exhibit desirable traits, such as pest resistance or increased yield.
- What is a transgenic organism?
- An organism that contains one or more genes from another species that have been artificially introduced into its genome.
- What is micropropagation?
- The process of rapidly producing large numbers of identical plants from a single parent plant using tissue culture techniques.
- What is gene silencing?
- The process of inhibiting the expression of a specific gene using techniques such as RNA interference.
- What is antisense technology?
- The use of complementary nucleic acid sequences to inhibit the expression of a specific gene.
- What is a gene bank?
- A repository that stores and preserves genetic material, such as DNA samples or seed collections, for research and conservation purposes.
- What is gene doping?
- The illicit use of gene therapy techniques to enhance athletic performance.
- What is phytoremediation?
- The use of plants to remove or detoxify environmental pollutants from soil, water, or air.
- What is proteomics?
- The study of the structure, function, and interactions of proteins within a biological system.
- What is metabolomics?
- The study of the complete set of small molecules (metabolites) within a biological sample.
- What is gene drive?
- A genetic engineering technique that biases the inheritance of a particular gene to spread rapidly through a population.
- What is precision agriculture?
- The use of advanced technologies, including biotechnology, to optimize agricultural practices and resource management.
- What is biofuel production?
- The use of biological materials, such as crops or microorganisms, to produce renewable fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel.
- What is genetic counseling?
- The process of providing information and support to individuals and families about genetic conditions, inheritance patterns, and testing options.
- What is xenotransplantation?
- The transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells from one species to another, often using genetically modified donor animals.
- What is biopharming?
- The production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or other therapeutic proteins using genetically engineered plants or animals.
- What is metagenomics?
- The study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples, such as soil or water, to analyze microbial communities.
- What is DNA barcoding?
- The use of short, standardized DNA sequences to identify species and track biodiversity.
- What is synthetic genomics?
- The design and synthesis of entire genomes or large DNA sequences for research or industrial applications.
- What is CRISPR-Cas9?
- A revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows precise modification of DNA sequences.
- What is personalized medicine?
- Medical treatment tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment.
- What is bioinformatics?
- The field of science that combines biology, computer science, and information technology to analyze and interpret biological data.
- What is epigenetics?
- The study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence itself.
- What is stem cell therapy?
- The use of stem cells to treat or prevent diseases and injuries by replacing damaged or diseased tissues.
- What is a biopesticide?
- A pesticide derived from natural materials such as plants, bacteria, or fungi, often used in organic farming or integrated pest management strategies.
