PPT: Biotechnology | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


B i o t e c h n o l o g y
Page 2


B i o t e c h n o l o g y
Understanding Biotechnology 3 
Basics and Evolution
Biotechnology harnesses living organisms or their components to develop useful products 
and technologies that improve our lives and solve complex problems.
While humans have used biological processes for thousands of years (making bread, 
cheese, and alcohol), modern biotechnology emerged after Watson and Crick discovered 
the DNA double helix structure in 1953.
From traditional fermentation to advanced gene editing, biotechnology spans a wide 
spectrum of applications across industries.
Page 3


B i o t e c h n o l o g y
Understanding Biotechnology 3 
Basics and Evolution
Biotechnology harnesses living organisms or their components to develop useful products 
and technologies that improve our lives and solve complex problems.
While humans have used biological processes for thousands of years (making bread, 
cheese, and alcohol), modern biotechnology emerged after Watson and Crick discovered 
the DNA double helix structure in 1953.
From traditional fermentation to advanced gene editing, biotechnology spans a wide 
spectrum of applications across industries.
What is Biotechnology? 
Traditional Biotech
Making bread using yeast for 
fermentation or producing 
yogurt with beneficial 
bacteria are everyday 
examples of biotechnology 
that humans have used for 
centuries.
Modern Biotech
Today's biotechnology 
involves precise manipulation 
of DNA and cells to create 
medicines (like insulin), 
develop disease-resistant 
crops, and produce biofuels.
Bridge Between 
Fields
Biotechnology connects 
biological sciences with 
technology to solve real-
world problems in healthcare, 
agriculture, environment, and 
industry.
At its core, biotechnology is about understanding and using biological systems to improve human life 
and address global challenges.
Page 4


B i o t e c h n o l o g y
Understanding Biotechnology 3 
Basics and Evolution
Biotechnology harnesses living organisms or their components to develop useful products 
and technologies that improve our lives and solve complex problems.
While humans have used biological processes for thousands of years (making bread, 
cheese, and alcohol), modern biotechnology emerged after Watson and Crick discovered 
the DNA double helix structure in 1953.
From traditional fermentation to advanced gene editing, biotechnology spans a wide 
spectrum of applications across industries.
What is Biotechnology? 
Traditional Biotech
Making bread using yeast for 
fermentation or producing 
yogurt with beneficial 
bacteria are everyday 
examples of biotechnology 
that humans have used for 
centuries.
Modern Biotech
Today's biotechnology 
involves precise manipulation 
of DNA and cells to create 
medicines (like insulin), 
develop disease-resistant 
crops, and produce biofuels.
Bridge Between 
Fields
Biotechnology connects 
biological sciences with 
technology to solve real-
world problems in healthcare, 
agriculture, environment, and 
industry.
At its core, biotechnology is about understanding and using biological systems to improve human life 
and address global challenges.
Key Tools and Techniques in Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering
Altering an organism's DNA to 
modify traits or introduce new 
characteristics
Recombinant DNA
Combining DNA from different 
sources to create new genetic 
sequences
PCR
Amplifying DNA segments millions 
of times for analysis
Other crucial techniques include RNA interference (gene silencing), tissue culture (growing cells in controlled 
environments), and bioinformatics (computational analysis of biological data).
Page 5


B i o t e c h n o l o g y
Understanding Biotechnology 3 
Basics and Evolution
Biotechnology harnesses living organisms or their components to develop useful products 
and technologies that improve our lives and solve complex problems.
While humans have used biological processes for thousands of years (making bread, 
cheese, and alcohol), modern biotechnology emerged after Watson and Crick discovered 
the DNA double helix structure in 1953.
From traditional fermentation to advanced gene editing, biotechnology spans a wide 
spectrum of applications across industries.
What is Biotechnology? 
Traditional Biotech
Making bread using yeast for 
fermentation or producing 
yogurt with beneficial 
bacteria are everyday 
examples of biotechnology 
that humans have used for 
centuries.
Modern Biotech
Today's biotechnology 
involves precise manipulation 
of DNA and cells to create 
medicines (like insulin), 
develop disease-resistant 
crops, and produce biofuels.
Bridge Between 
Fields
Biotechnology connects 
biological sciences with 
technology to solve real-
world problems in healthcare, 
agriculture, environment, and 
industry.
At its core, biotechnology is about understanding and using biological systems to improve human life 
and address global challenges.
Key Tools and Techniques in Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering
Altering an organism's DNA to 
modify traits or introduce new 
characteristics
Recombinant DNA
Combining DNA from different 
sources to create new genetic 
sequences
PCR
Amplifying DNA segments millions 
of times for analysis
Other crucial techniques include RNA interference (gene silencing), tissue culture (growing cells in controlled 
environments), and bioinformatics (computational analysis of biological data).
Genetic Engineering & Recombinant DNA 
Technology
1 Step 1: Gene Isolation
Scientists identify and extract the gene of interest 
from a donor organism
2 Step 2: Vector Insertion
The isolated gene is inserted into a vector (like a 
plasmid) that can enter host cells
3
Step 3: Host Transfer
The vector carrying the gene is introduced into a 
host organism (often bacteria)
4
Step 4: Protein Production
The host organism reads the new gene and 
produces the desired protein
This technology has revolutionized medicine (producing insulin for diabetes), agriculture (creating pest-resistant crops), 
and enables much more precise genetic changes than traditional breeding methods.