BSC 4422 Exam #1 Study Guide
Questions with Actual Detailed
Answers 2026-2027 Updated.
Biotechnology - Answer using living organisms, or the products of living organisms, for
human benefit to make product or solve a problem
- interdisciplinary field that relies on basic sciences
Examples of biotechnology - Answer - eaten GMO/GE produce
- treated with a monoclonal antibiotic
- had a flu shot
- required an insulin shot
- taken an at home pregnancy test
- used an antibiotic
- had a glass of wine
- eaten cheese
Historical examples of Biotechnology - Answer selective breeding
- manipulating genes of domestic plants and animals; improve crops and livestock (creation of
corn from Teosinte plant (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis))
plant domestication (10,500 BC)
- barley and wheat
Animal domestication (9,000-7,000 BC)
- sheep, cows, goats, and pigs
Fermentation (7,000-6,600 BC)
- fruit, rice, and honey to make an alcoholic beverage
Use an antibiotic
- Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928
Historical example of selective breeding - Answer The process of selecting a few organisms
with desired traits to serve as parents of the next generation
,Historical example of fermentation - Answer Early civilizations fermenting sugars to make
alcoholic beverages C6H12O6 ----> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
Historical example of antibiotics - Answer Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin in 1928
from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum
Modern examples of biotechnology - Answer Gene cloning
- ability to identify and copy/clone a gene of interest
Recombinant DNA technology
- technique enabling DNA to be combined from different sources
- started modern biotech as an industry
Genetic engineering
- altering an organism's DNA
- pioneered in 1973 by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer
- Stanley cohen also coined recombinant DNA technology
Human Genome Project (1990-2003)
- international effort to identify all human genes and their loci
Modern examples of biotechnology - Answer - vaccines
- diagnostics
- disease - resistant plants
- food crops that produce greater yields
- "Golden rice" engineered to be more nutritious
- personalized medicine
- genetically engineered bacteria to degrade pollutants
- biotechnology medicines
modern examples of biotechnology - Answer Product: Blood factor 7 (clotting factor)
Application: treat hemophilia (frequent blood loss)
Product: Epidermal growth factor
, Application: stimulate antibody production in patients with immune system disorders
Product: Growth hormone
Application: correct pituitary deficiencies and short stature in humans; other forms are used in
cows to increase milk production
Product: insulin
Application: treat diabetes
Product: interferons
Application: treat cancer and viral infections
Product: interleukins
Application: treat cancer and stimulate antibody production
Product: monoclonal antibodies
Application: diagnosis and treat a variety of diseases including arthritis and cancer
Product: Tissue plasminogen activator
Application: treat heart attacks and stroke
7 types of biotechnology - Answer - Microbial
- Agricultural
- Animal
- Forensic
- Bioremediation
- Aquatic
- Medical
Microbial Biotechnology - Answer -use of microorganisms to make valuable products and
application (things not visible to the naked eye)
EX: bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, protozoa, archaea
EX: scientists manipulate bacteria and yeast to:
- create better enzymes
Questions with Actual Detailed
Answers 2026-2027 Updated.
Biotechnology - Answer using living organisms, or the products of living organisms, for
human benefit to make product or solve a problem
- interdisciplinary field that relies on basic sciences
Examples of biotechnology - Answer - eaten GMO/GE produce
- treated with a monoclonal antibiotic
- had a flu shot
- required an insulin shot
- taken an at home pregnancy test
- used an antibiotic
- had a glass of wine
- eaten cheese
Historical examples of Biotechnology - Answer selective breeding
- manipulating genes of domestic plants and animals; improve crops and livestock (creation of
corn from Teosinte plant (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis))
plant domestication (10,500 BC)
- barley and wheat
Animal domestication (9,000-7,000 BC)
- sheep, cows, goats, and pigs
Fermentation (7,000-6,600 BC)
- fruit, rice, and honey to make an alcoholic beverage
Use an antibiotic
- Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928
Historical example of selective breeding - Answer The process of selecting a few organisms
with desired traits to serve as parents of the next generation
,Historical example of fermentation - Answer Early civilizations fermenting sugars to make
alcoholic beverages C6H12O6 ----> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
Historical example of antibiotics - Answer Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin in 1928
from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum
Modern examples of biotechnology - Answer Gene cloning
- ability to identify and copy/clone a gene of interest
Recombinant DNA technology
- technique enabling DNA to be combined from different sources
- started modern biotech as an industry
Genetic engineering
- altering an organism's DNA
- pioneered in 1973 by Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer
- Stanley cohen also coined recombinant DNA technology
Human Genome Project (1990-2003)
- international effort to identify all human genes and their loci
Modern examples of biotechnology - Answer - vaccines
- diagnostics
- disease - resistant plants
- food crops that produce greater yields
- "Golden rice" engineered to be more nutritious
- personalized medicine
- genetically engineered bacteria to degrade pollutants
- biotechnology medicines
modern examples of biotechnology - Answer Product: Blood factor 7 (clotting factor)
Application: treat hemophilia (frequent blood loss)
Product: Epidermal growth factor
, Application: stimulate antibody production in patients with immune system disorders
Product: Growth hormone
Application: correct pituitary deficiencies and short stature in humans; other forms are used in
cows to increase milk production
Product: insulin
Application: treat diabetes
Product: interferons
Application: treat cancer and viral infections
Product: interleukins
Application: treat cancer and stimulate antibody production
Product: monoclonal antibodies
Application: diagnosis and treat a variety of diseases including arthritis and cancer
Product: Tissue plasminogen activator
Application: treat heart attacks and stroke
7 types of biotechnology - Answer - Microbial
- Agricultural
- Animal
- Forensic
- Bioremediation
- Aquatic
- Medical
Microbial Biotechnology - Answer -use of microorganisms to make valuable products and
application (things not visible to the naked eye)
EX: bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, protozoa, archaea
EX: scientists manipulate bacteria and yeast to:
- create better enzymes
