BIOTECHNOLOGY

1
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Wan Ng

• Introduction

2
Proposed program for a Biotechnology day for
middle years

• Program Overview
• 9-12.00 pm (with 30 min break at around 10.30
  am)
• Pre-survey, theory, powerpoint, group work,
  individual work, written exercises
• 12.00-1.00 Lunch
• 1.00 3.00 Hands-on activities
• 3.00 3.30 post-learning survey

3
Overview continuedHands-on activities1 3 pm

• 4 stations
• Simulating yeast fermentation balloon blowing
  with baking soda and vinegar
• Making double helix
• Extracting DNA
• Powerpoint on Biotechnology
• Students work in groups of 3. Hence there will be
  approx 20 groups. Need to purchase sufficient
  materials for 20 groups at each station.

4

• Double Helix
• For each group of 4
• Pink white marshmallows (about 15 white and 15
  pink )
• 4 different colours of gummy bears(4 of each
  colour)
• Thin, flexible wire (about 60 cm each group)
• Toothpicks (8)

• DNA Extraction
• For each group of 4
• 2 drinking cup, 1 tea spoon, 1 table spoon
• About 20 ml cold alcohol (ethanol - methylated
  spirit will do), salt, dishwashing liquid e.g.
  Palmolive or Dawn etc.,
• 1 Chux superwipe as filter cloth,
• 1 Glad zip loc sandwich bag
• 1 Funnel
• 1 Satay stick
• 1 glass tube or small glass jar
• 2 strawberries or 1 kiwi fruit

• Yeast fermentation simulation
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Vinegar
• Balloons
• Small empty drink bottle

Materials to buy
5
Biotechnology Introduction
9 am Wan will introduce

• 1. Prior knowledge survey exercise
• 2. Get into groups of 4
• How many other words can you form with this word
  biotechnology?
• What do you know about biotechnology brainstorm
  in your group.

15 mins
15 mins small groups activity 10 mins whole
group presentation
6
In groups of 4, discuss and write down what you
know about each of these topics (1-5 below) for
example, one of the things you may discuss is how
each is made. Then choose 2 of these topics
and use the Venn Diagram to write down what the
similar and different things about these topics
are?
20 mins small group discussion 15 mins whole
group

1. Making of bread using yeast
2. Wine from grapes
3. Cheese yoghurt from milk
4. Beers from malt barley
5. New crops and animals from breeding

7
Venn Diagram
Playing Tennis
Swimming
e.g.Sport Blood pups Sweat? Build muscles
Write things that are similar here
8
What is Biotechnology?

• Bio Short for Biology, Biology The study of
  all living things
• Technology Tools for evolution
• Biotechnology Therefore means A tool that uses
  biology for the production of new products
• Scientific Definition Any technological
  application that uses biological systems or
  living organisms to make or modify products or
  processes for specific use

9
Biotechnology Using living things (e.g. plants,
animals or bacteria) to create products or to do
tasks for human beings

• What other biotechnology examples can you think
  of apart from these ones?
• Making of bread using yeast
• Wine from grapes
• Cheese yoghurt from milk
• Beers from malt barley
• New crops and animals from breeding

10
Examples of other biotechnology examples

• Environment composting Werribee Sewerage farm
• Food crops with higher yields, pest resistant
  crops
• Medicine vaccines insulin
• Cosmetic SKII story
• (Pitera)

11
Biotechnology more information

• Uses living organisms cells for the improvement
  of living things
• Includes Many science disciplines such as
  Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell
  Biology
• Includes specialised Scientists such as Food
  Scientists (nutritionists), Chemists,
  Geneticists (study genetics)
• Biotechnology has evolved new drugs, Vaccines,
  Produced Food Products, Cosmetics, Improved plants

12
Biotechnology

• Some uses of biotechnology are
• 1) Grow more food
• 2) Help the environment
• 3) Grow increased amounts of
• nutritious food, and therefore improve our health
• HOW DOES BIOTECHNOLOGY WORK?
• Scientists look closely at cells,
• specifically genes, and make
• improvements

13
What are cells???

• Cells The basic units for all living things
• Within the cell we have DNA which contain our
  genetic material
• Genetic Material Traits inherited from parents
  to offspring, your DNA makes you uniquely you

14
Acknowledgement http//www.enchantedlearning.com/
subjects/animals/cell/
15
For more on Cells visit

• http//www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/biology/
  cells/

16
How cell, nucleus, DNA, genes and characteristics
are related

• Inside the cell is a nucleus
• Inside the nucleus is found DNA
  (deoxyribo-nucleic-acid)
• DNA is made up of genes
• Genes contain the information that determined
  many of your characteristics

17
Cell
has
gene
Nucleus
contains
gene
DNA
gene
make up
gene
Genes
gene
determine
DNA
Your characteristics
18
Morning Break approx 10.30 11 amSecond
session 11 12 pm

• Continue from morning session. Include
• Draw diagram of cell label cell, membrane,
  cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes
• Draw flow diagram
• Do exercises on worksheets

19

Lunch 12.00 1.00 pmHands-on 1 3.00 pm (30
min sessions,
topics below) Post survey 3.00 - 3.30 pm
1. DNA extraction from strawberries 2. Double
helix from lollies 3. Simulate yeast activity 4.
Powerpoint presentation
Note No. 3 uses sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
and vinegar
3.00 pm Post-test/survey
FINISH