Definitions [2]
Define.
Biotechnology
The technique of bringing about improvements in living organisms by genetic modifications and hybridization, for the welfare of human beings is known as ‘Biotechnology’.
Definition: Hybrid Seeds
Seeds produced by recombination of genes from two different crop varieties to obtain improved characteristics, especially in fruits, are called hybrid seeds.
Key Points
Key Points: Biotechnology
- Biotechnology, a term coined by Karl Ereky in 1919, is the use of biological systems and genetic modifications to develop products and services for human welfare.
- Traditional biotechnology relies on small-scale, natural processes like fermentation (e.g., producing curd and wine), whereas modern biotechnology operates on a large scale.
- Modern biotechnology is fundamentally driven by two core techniques: genetic engineering (the targeted alteration of DNA and RNA) and bioprocess engineering.
- The field experienced a major breakthrough with the development of recombinant DNA technology by Cohen and Boyer in 1973.
- By integrating disciplines such as molecular biology and biochemistry, biotechnology enables crucial applications in both medicine (antibiotics, vaccines, insulin) and agriculture (high-yield, disease-resistant crops).
