Class 12 Biology - ODISHA
Biotechnology and its Applications
The chapter 'Biotechnology and its Applications' in Class 12 Biology explores how biological organisms, cells, and enzymes are used to create products that benefit human welfare. Students under the Odisha BSE board will learn crucial applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental remediation. Key topics include genetically modified organisms (GMOs) like Bt cotton, RNA interference (RNAi) for pest resistance, production of human insulin via recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy, and molecular diagnosis. This chapter is vital for board exams as it features direct application-based questions, process flowcharts, and conceptual queries that test both memory and analytical skills.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Bt Cotton
A genetically modified crop containing a bacterial gene from Bacillus thuringiensis that produces a crystal protein toxic to specific insect pests like bollworms, reducing the need for chemical insecticides.
RNA Interference (RNAi)
A cellular defense mechanism in eukaryotes used to silence specific genes by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) using complementary double-stranded RNA, protecting plants like tobacco from nematode infestations.
Genetically Engineered Insulin (Humulin)
Human insulin produced through recombinant DNA technology using E. coli bacteria, bypassing the extraction of insulin from slaughtered animals and preventing allergic reactions in diabetic patients.
Gene Therapy
An experimental technique that introduces healthy genes into a patient's cells to correct defective genes responsible for hereditary diseases, famously used to treat Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency.
Molecular Diagnostics
Early detection methods using techniques like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to identify pathogens or genetic disorders before clinical symptoms appear.
Biopiracy and Biopatents
The unauthorized appropriation of traditional biological knowledge and resources by multinational companies without proper compensation to the indigenous communities or countries of origin.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Odisha BSE Class 12 Biology board examination, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions usually include short-answer questions (2-3 marks) on Bt cotton or RNAi, diagram-based questions on insulin production or gene therapy, and differentiating questions between transgenic animals and biopiracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Bt toxin not toxic to the Bacillus thuringiensis bacterium itself?
The Bt toxin is produced as an inactive protein called protoxin inside the bacterium. It only becomes active when exposed to the alkaline pH of an insect's gut, which solubilizes the crystals.
How is recombinant insulin different from natural animal insulin?
Recombinant insulin (Humulin) has the exact same amino acid sequence as human insulin and does not trigger immune responses or allergic reactions, unlike animal insulin extracted from cows or pigs.
What is the main difference between gene therapy and PCR?
Gene therapy is a medical treatment that inserts normal genes into a patient's cells to correct genetic disorders, whereas PCR is a laboratory technique used to amplify small segments of DNA for diagnostic and research purposes.
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