Biotechnology in action
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| yeast/jiːst/ | A single-celled fungus, many species of which can ferment sugars to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide. |
| baking/ˈbeɪkɪŋ/ | baking |
| brewing/ˈbruːɪŋ/ | brewing |
| antibiotics/ˌæntɪbaɪˈɒtɪks/ | Medicines that kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. |
| insulin/ˈɪnsjuːlɪn/ | A hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells that helps lower blood glucose concentration. |
| enzymes/ˈenzaɪmz/ | Biological catalysts that increase reaction rates without being used up overall. |
Biotechnology in everyday life
- Biotechnology isn't just in laboratories — it's in your kitchen and medicine cabinet.
- Microbes make bread, yoghurt, medicines and more.
Biotechnology application lab
Classify biotechnology examples by the problem they solve.
Yeast makes bread rise by producing:
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CO₂ from yeast respiration makes dough rise.
Yoghurt is made from milk by:
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Bacteria ferment milk into yoghurt.
The microbe used in both baking and brewing is ______.
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Yeast produces CO₂ (bread) and alcohol (brewing).
Food production
- Yeast 酵母 is used in baking 烘焙 (its CO₂ makes bread rise) and brewing 酿造 (it makes alcohol).
- Bacteria turn milk into yoghurt and cheese.
Fermentation tanks: microbes are grown at scale in biotechnology
Which medicines are made using microbes? (Select all that apply.)
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Antibiotics, penicillin and insulin are made using microbes.
Medicines
- Microbes are used to make antibiotics 抗生素 (like penicillin from a fungus).
- GM microbes make insulin 胰岛素 and other medicines in large quantities.
Enzymes used in industry
Microbes can produce enzymes used in washing powders.
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These enzymes work at lower temperatures, saving energy.
Enzymes 酶 from microbes
- Microbes produce enzymes used in industry — e.g. in washing powders and food processing.
- These enzymes work at lower temperatures, saving energy.
Worked example. Yeast added to dough respires anaerobically, producing carbon dioxide. The gas bubbles expand in the oven, making the bread rise — biotechnology you can eat.
You've got it
- yeast makes bread rise (CO₂) and brews alcohol; bacteria make yoghurt and cheese
- microbes make medicines (antibiotics, insulin)
- microbes also make industrial enzymes (washing powders, food processing)