Biotechnology and genetic modification

Learning objectives

• Distinguish fermentation from genetic modification.
• Explain controlled microbial production.
• Weigh benefits and limitations of biotechnology.

The big idea

Biotechnology uses organisms or biological processes to make useful products. Yeast fermentation can produce ethanol and carbon dioxide; controlled fermenters regulate factors such as temperature, nutrients and contamination.

Genetic modification changes genetic material, for example by introducing a gene enabling a production cell to make a useful protein. The outcome depends on expression and biological context. Product safety, ecosystem effects and access need case-specific evidence, not assumptions that all modifications have identical risks.

Investigate and explain

Using the worked example as supplied data, predict the effect of changing one condition. Draw a labelled model, record your reasoning and identify a variable that would need controlling. No human, animal or microbial experiment is required.

Related simplified PhET model. Explain what it represents and what the living system does differently.

Open the interactive investigation

Check your understanding