Ques.
1 : Give an account of the techniques of Biotechnology?
Ans.
The main techniques of biotechnology are - genetic engineering,
cell culture, tissue culture, bio-processing, protein engineering, monoclonal
antibody production and biosensor technology. As has been recognised all over
the world, in the last fifteen years, there has been revolution in the field of
Biotechnology as evidenced through new discoveries and inventions in
the
areas of isolation and manipulation of genes, better understanding of
biological molecules, the advent of recombinant DNA technique enabling
the
genes to be transferred between organisms to produce scare proteins of plant
and animal origin as also human growth factors and hormones.
Ques.
2 : Discuss in brief the Genetic engineering?
Ans.
Genetic Engineering : The utilisation of genetic machinery
of life for production of any special substance is called gene technology or genetic
engineering. The genetic modification of micro- organisms, so vital for their
utilisation in the production of useful biochemical, can be brought about by
simple recombination or by complex genetic manipulations. Some of the
techniques
are:
Isolation
of Genes: Appropriate sequence of genes is directly obtained from genome
of normal cell or from other cells. This is made possible by cleavage and
denaturation of DNA extracted from the cells.
Synthesis
of Genes: This is done by chemical methods. Dr. Hargobind Khurana
reported this in 1970.
Recombinant
DNA: Breakage of DNA molecule at two desired places to isolate a
specific DNA fragment and then inserting it in another DNA molecule at a
desired position results in a new gene product which is called as recombinant
DNA (r-DNA). The receiving organism is said to be transgenic. Using this technique
we can isolate and clone single copy of a gene or a DNA molecule into an
indefinite number of copies, all identical.
Gene
Cloning: Isolation of gene and replication of a single copy of gene or
DNA segment into an infinite number of copies, all identical, is known as gene
cloning. This becomes possible because vectors like plasmids and phages
reproduce in their usual style even after insertion of foreign DNA. This
inserted DNA will also replicate faithfully with parent DNA. Recently extensive
use
of newly discovered polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has also been made for gene
technology.
Ques.
3 : What is Tissue Culture?
Ans.
Tissue Culture : Tissue culture is the technology of artificially growing
micro-organisms or cells or tissues or organs to the desired genetic purity
with properties such as high yield and disease resistance.
The
microbes in culture are used in recombinant DNA technology and in a variety of
industrial processes, plant cells and tissues are used for a variety of genetic
manipulations. For example another culture is used for haploid breeding; gametic
and somatic cell/tissue cultures are used for tapping gametoclonal and
somaclonal variations or for production of artificial seeds. Transformation of
protoplast in culture leads to production of useful transgenic plants. Embryo culture
technique has also helped extending the range of distant hybridisation for
plant breeding purposes. Animal cells are used for multiplication of superior
livestock using a variety of techniques like Cloning of superior embryonic
cells, transformation of cultured cells leading to the production of transgenic
animals and in vitro fertilisation and transfer of embryos to surrogate
mothers.
Ques.
4 : Briefly discuss microbial biotechnology?
Ans.
Microbial Biotechnology : Micro organisms have been harnessed by
man for the production of useful materials. The latest initiatives in Microbial
Biotechnology have been taken in the following matters:
i)Rehabilitation
of degraded land such as alkaline soil, mine dumps and dump from metallurgical
factories, utilising microbial supports.
ii)Dissolution
of pyretic shells by microbial methods to liberate entrapped noble metals like
gold, silver etc. through the process of bio-techning of low and lean grade
orders.
iii)Degradation
of polyphenolic compounds using microbial approaches.
iv)Standardisation
of shuttling vectors for E-coli and streptomyces having capabilities of accepting
chester genes of Ansamycines.
v)Strengthening
of microbial teaching and research in identified universities.
vi)Development
of fungicides to contain fungal infections in plants and vegetables.
vii)Development
of microbial enzymes active in extreme temperatures, novel antibiotics and bioactive proteins and other biomolecules
for industrial use.
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