Biotechnology : Principles and Processes

The term biotechnology principles and processes is defined as the application of biological systems and organisms to develop products through some form of modifications that are often aimed towards medical, agricultural, and industrial applications. This is an important concept of Biology and is included in the Class 12 syllabus. This chapter explains the key methods in biotechnology, genetic engineering, cloning, and recombinant DNA technology. An understanding of biotechnology is important for competitive exams like NEET, AIIMS and nursing as the questions from biotechnology principles and processes are frequently asked in these exams.

Biotechnology Principles and Processes

Biotechnological principles and processes are two main techniques on which they are based, such as genetic engineering and bioprocess engineering. Genetic engineering is the changing of the DNA of an organism to increase its capabilities or to manufacture a particular product. Bioprocess engineering deals with the creation of controlled environments for these processes. These principles have wide applications, from GMOs to recombinant DNA production in insulin.

Biotechnology is defined as a comprehensive field of biological science that utilises both the technology and the use of living organisms and their components in order to develop, manufacture and produce useful human welfare products. The name ‘Biotechnology’ was coined in 1919 by agricultural engineer Karoly Ereky, hence the name Biotechnology father.

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Principles of Biotechnology

According to modern Biotechnology, the basic principles of Biotechnology are:

Genetic engineering is used to modify the DNA of a target organism, thereby altering the phenotype of an organism.

Bioprocess engineering is the maintenance of sterile conditions to support the growth of a large number of desirable bacteria and other eukaryotic cells used for the production of new or modified biotechnological products such as antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines, etc.

Genetic engineering techniques mainly include:

• The DNA fragment is separated from the donor organism.
• It is embedded in vector DNA.
• It is transferred to the appropriate host.
• Compilation of living DNA recombinant containing.

The introduction of biotechnology started with two technologies:

Chemical Engineering

Another major difference between chemical engineering and biotechnology is performance measurement. Most products from biotechnology are low in the volume of organic chemicals and have high value.

Modern biotechnology has expanded the range of medicine to the highest level ever. This application has benefited greatly as it has produced excellent products in terms of quality and price, creating storage and storage processes. Examples are enzymes, Vaccines, and Antibiotics.

Genetic Engineering

The basic goal of this process is to modify existing organisms by gradually changing their genetic makeup, which involves the use of synthetic DNA technology.

Recombinant DNA technology

Recombinant DNA technology is also known as Genetic Engineering. It is the process of assembling two DNA molecules from two different sources. This is known as DNA recombinant.

The steps involved in Recombinant DNA technology processes are:

• DNA fragmentation
• DNA sequencing using endonuclease inhibitors
• Attachment of the desired DNA fragment to the vector
• DNA recombinant transmission to the host
• The culture of cells is altered in a genetic environment.
• Release the product you want.

DNA Cloning

DNA cloning is the process of making many identical copies of a piece of DNA. This process requires cloning vectors with the following structures:

• It should be small in size but capable of carrying large DNA.
• The cloning vector must have a duplicate root to be able to replicate automatically on the host object.
• It should have a restricted domain.
• It must contain an optional filter to filter recombinant organisms.
• It should have multiple compartments.

Bioprocess Engineering

Bioprocess engineering is cell duplication in bioreactors. A large amount of culture is achieved through a process that produces a high yield of the required protein. Available products are subject to a series of procedures. The products are cleaned by river processing and are subject to quality inspection prior to further testing. This procedure is used to make antibiotics, vaccines and other treatments.

NCERT Notes Subject Wise Link:

• NCERT notes Class 12 Maths
• NCERT notes Class 12 Physics
• NCERT notes Class 12 Chemistry
• NCERT notes Class 12 Biology

Biotechnology Process

Biotech or biotechnology is a series of biographies relating to the application of technology to biological processes that occur in or under subsistence companies to transform a process into a specific application.

It is one of the oldest industrial technologies ever recorded. For example, one of the biotechnological methods is the use of fermentation in alcohol production. In recent times it has grown and developed into genomics, using immunology, genetic engineering, medicine and more with its work extending to major fields such as - agriculture, genetic engineering, medicine etc. It is also widely used in bioinformatics to explore the field of research and development as well as to produce an extract from living organisms through biochemical engineering.

Over time, biotechnology became more complex from archaic to advanced processes such as:

• Protein engineering
• DNA modification
• Enzymes do not work
• Tissue culture
• Cell catalysis
• Protoplast integration

NCERT Books Link:

• NCERT book for class 11 Biology
• NCERT book for class 12 Biology

Biotechnology led to the integration of many services with social welfare products, such as:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular biology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Genetic Engineering

Some of the most important contributions that break the biotechnology path are:

• Culture of plant tissue
• Test-tube baby or Invitro fertilisation
• Recombinant DNA technique
• DNA vaccines
• Humulin Production

Important Topics of Biotechnology Principles and Processes for NEET and CBSE

Here's the list of the most important topics of biotechnology principles and processes for NEET and CBSE:

Biotechnology Principles and Processes NEET Questions

Regularly, the entire area of biotechnology, especially the theoretical concept and applications of genetic manipulation, microbial culture techniques, and bioethics, is tested in the NEET exam. Important areas are as follows:

• Recombinant DNA technology
• Role of restriction enzymes and DNA ligase
• Vectors like plasmids and bacteriophages in gene cloning

These questions are sought to test students' understanding of step-to-step procedures in genetic engineering, which in turn demands a good hold on basics.

Biotechnology Principles and Processes MCQ

MCQs on biotechnology principles and processes cement concepts and prepare for competitive exams. The most common MCQ topics are as follows:

• Functions and types of restriction enzymes
• Applications of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
• Steps involved in producing genetically modified organisms, or GMOs

Biotechnology Principles and Processes PDF

Downloadable PDF resources are available to the students and are written in summarized notes, diagrams, and process charts for fast revision. The most important topics covered are:

• Steps in recombinant DNA technology
• Differences between cloning and expression vectors
• Application-based questions for NEET and all entrance tests
• Accessing PDF resources - A study on the go to reinforce learning with concise information and visual aids.

NCERT Solutions Subject-wise link:

• NCERT solutions for class 12 Physics
• NCERT solutions for class 12 Chemistry
• NCERT solutions for class 12 Mathematics
• NCERT solutions for class 12 Biology

Principles and Processes of Biotechnology Previous Year Questions

PYQs are a must for practising. Studying PYQ helps ascertain which type of questions recur more often. For instance,

• How is recombinant insulin prepared
• Steps that are involved in the cloning of a specific gene
• Role of vectors in gene transfer

Practice with biotechnology principles and processes NEET PYQ is of benefit to students as it gets the student accustomed to the type of questions and also identifies areas where they need to specifically focus on to score good marks.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject-wise link:

• NCERT exemplar solutions for class 12 Physics
• NCERT exemplar solutions for class 12 Chemistry
• NCERT exemplar solutions for class 12 Mathematics
• NCERT exemplar solutions for class 12 Biology

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies to Prepare for Biotechnology Principles and Processes

Here are some tips and tricks to prepare for biotechnology principles and processes:

Mnemonics

Use the following mnemonic "RED VEST" for key steps in recombinant DNA technology:

R: Restriction Enzyme Digestion

E: Extraction of DNA

D: DNA Ligation

V: Vector Insertion

E: Expression of Gene

S: Selection of Transformed Cells

T: Testing and Validation

Study Aids

Prepare flowcharts for each step of recombinant DNA technology.

Create tables to compare vectors and enzymes used in genetic engineering

Multimedia

Watch videos or animations on the process of DNA cloning, the function of restriction enzymes, and the PCR procedure.

Flashcards

Use flashcards to memorize functions of various types of enzymes, different vectors, and words such as plasmid, transgene, and bioreactor.

Types of Questions Asked on Biotechnology Principles and Processes in Exams

The table below indicates the types of questions asked from biotechnology principles and processes in different exams:

Weightage of Biotechnology Principles and Processes Questions in Exams

The table given below indicates the weightage of questions from biotechnology principles and processes in different exams:

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