Class 12 Biology - TAMILNADU
Biotechnology and its Applications
The chapter 'Biotechnology and its Applications' explores how genetic engineering and biological systems are utilized for human welfare. Students will learn about the practical applications of biotechnology in agriculture, such as Pest-resistant plants and Bt cotton, and in medicine, including the production of recombinant insulin, gene therapy, and molecular diagnostics. The chapter also covers transgenic animals and ethical issues like biopiracy and patenting. This is a high-scoring, concept-driven chapter that frequently appears in Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi Class 12 board examinations through direct descriptive questions, diagram-based queries, and application-oriented problems.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Bt Cotton
A genetically modified pest-resistant cotton variety produced by introducing a crystal protein gene (cry gene) from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which kills bollworms.
RNA Interference (RNAi)
A cellular defense mechanism in eukaryotes used to silence specific genes by complementary dsRNA, utilized to protect tobacco plants from nematode infection.
Recombinant Insulin (Humulin)
Genetically engineered human insulin produced using E. coli bacteria by inserting human insulin gene chains A and B into plasmids, overcoming extraction issues from animals.
Gene Therapy
A medical technique that corrects defective genes responsible for hereditary diseases, famously used for treating Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency.
Biopiracy and Biopatents
Biopiracy refers to the unauthorized commercial use of biological resources and traditional knowledge by industrialized nations without proper compensation or permission.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 12 Biology board exam, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions usually include 1-mark objective questions, 2-mark or 3-mark short answers on Bt cotton, RNAi, or gene therapy, and 5-mark long-answer questions explaining applications in medicine or agriculture and ethical issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Bt toxin and normal bacterial toxins?
Bt toxin exists initially as an inactive protoxin in the bacterium. It only becomes active when it is ingested by insects due to the alkaline pH of their gut, which dissolves the crystals.
How is ADA deficiency permanently cured?
While bone marrow transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy provide temporary relief, permanent cure is achieved through gene therapy by introducing functional ADA cDNA into patient's lymphocytes at an early embryonic stage.
What are GEAC and its role?
GEAC stands for Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. It is an Indian government body that makes decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing transgenic organisms for public services.
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