BRAINCAKECloning and Biotechnology
Revision notes for Cloning and Biotechnology in OCR Biology A (H420). Read the start of any lesson here, then sign in free for the whole lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz.
- Natural Clones in PlantsA clone is an organism (or cell) that is genetically identical to its parent or to other clones.
- Vegetative PropagationVegetative propagation is the natural production of new plants from structures of the parent plant, without seeds.
- Artificial Clones - CuttingsGardeners and growers make artificial clones of plants by taking cuttings.
- Tissue Culture and MicropropagationTissue culture is the growth of new tissues, organs or whole plants from a few cells or a small piece of tissue in a sterile nutrient medium.
- Pros and Cons of Plant CloningBoth taking cuttings and micropropagation produce large numbers of genetically identical plants.
- Natural Clones in AnimalsNatural cloning also occurs in animals.
- Artificial TwinningArtificial twinning is a way of producing several genetically identical animals from one embryo.
- Somatic Cell Nuclear TransferSomatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a method of cloning an adult animal.
- Pros and Cons of Animal CloningAnimal cloning, by artificial twinning or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has clear uses but also real problems.
- Microorganisms in BiotechnologyBiotechnology is the use of living organisms, or parts of them such as enzymes, to make products or carry out processes useful to humans.
- Microorganisms in Food ProductionMicroorganisms have been used to make food for thousands of years.
- Microorganisms in Medicine and BioremediationMedicine Antibiotics: penicillin, the first antibiotic, is made by the mould Penicillium chrysogenum.
- Culturing MicroorganismsTo grow (culture) microorganisms in the laboratory they must be given a suitable culture medium and suitable conditions.
- Aseptic TechniqueAseptic technique is the set of procedures used to prevent contamination: unwanted microorganisms getting into a culture, and the culture escaping…
- Serial DilutionA broth culture may contain millions of bacteria per cm3.
- Standard Growth CurveWhen bacteria are grown in a closed culture (nothing added and nothing removed after the start), the population follows a standard growth curve with…
- Batch FermentationBatch fermentation is a closed culture on an industrial scale.
- Continuous FermentationIn continuous fermentation, sterile nutrient medium is added to the fermenter continuously, and culture (containing cells and product) is removed at…
- Controlling Conditions in FermentersA fermenter (bioreactor) is a large vessel in which microorganisms are grown under controlled conditions, so that growth and product yield are as…
- Immobilised EnzymesAn immobilised enzyme is an enzyme that is attached to, or held inside, an insoluble material so that it cannot mix freely with the substrate…
- Uses of Immobilised EnzymesImmobilised enzymes are used in many industrial processes.