Biotechnology
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| biotechnology | 生物技术 | shēng wù jì shù |
| PCR | 聚合酶链反应 | jù hé méi liàn fǎn yìng |
| genetic engineering | 基因工程 | jī yīn gōng chéng |
Reading and rewriting DNA
- Once we understood DNA, we learned to work with it directly.
- We can now copy genes, move them, and read them.
- These tools let us make medicines, study disease, and improve crops.
- This whole field is called biotechnology.
PCR: copying DNA
- Biotechnology 生物技术 often starts by making many copies of a gene.
- PCR 聚合酶链反应 (the polymerase chain reaction) does exactly this.
- Cycles of heating and cooling copy a piece of DNA again and again.
- Each cycle doubles it, so a tiny sample becomes millions of copies.
Biotechnology means…
Biotechnology uses organisms and their molecules — like DNA and enzymes — to make products and tools.
Genetic engineering
- Genetic engineering 基因工程 moves a gene from one organism into another.
- A useful gene is cut out and inserted into a new host.
- The host then reads that gene and makes its protein.
- This lets us give an organism a brand-new ability.
PCR - copying DNA
Step through one PCR cycle - heat separates the strands, primers attach, and each strand is copied, doubling the DNA.
What does PCR do?
PCR (the polymerase chain reaction) copies a target piece of DNA over and over, doubling it each cycle.
What biotechnology can do
- Bacteria are engineered to make human insulin for diabetics.
- Crops are given genes for pest resistance or extra vitamins.
- DNA can be read to diagnose disease or identify a person.
- Gene therapy even aims to fix faulty genes in patients.
Moving a gene from one organism into another is called genetic ____.
Genetic engineering transfers a gene between organisms — for example, putting a human gene into bacteria.
Bacteria can be engineered to make human insulin as medicine.
The human insulin gene is put into bacteria, which then produce insulin cheaply and safely.
Select all true statements about biotechnology.
Powerful tools raise real ethical questions worth careful thought. The other three are correct.
These tools are powerful, and power brings responsibility. Editing genes and modifying organisms raise real ethical questions — about safety, fairness, and consent. Biotechnology must be used thoughtfully, not just because we can.
Bacteria that make human insulin:
- People with diabetes need insulin, once extracted painfully from animals.
- Now the human insulin gene is placed into bacteria by genetic engineering.
- The bacteria multiply and pump out pure human insulin — cheap, safe, and plentiful.
Biotechnology uses living things and their molecules as tools. PCR copies a piece of DNA millions of times; genetic engineering moves a gene between organisms, letting (for example) bacteria make human insulin. These powerful tools bring great benefits — and real ethical questions.