Understanding Our BodiesFrom genetics to physiology, the many branches of biology have much to tell us about what the human body is made up of, how it works, and how its affected by what we eat, the air we breath, and every other aspect of the world around us. It can help us prevent, cure, and even eliminate disease. It can even teach us to become stronger and faster or lose weight. Treating DiseaseBiology as a whole is one of the cornerstones of all forms of modern healthcare. The field known as pharmacology is literally medicine. It deals with researching and creating everything from over-the-counter pain relievers to prescription drugs for depression.Immunology studies our immune system and how it reacts to all sorts of different threats. Pathology diagnoses diseases and what causes them, as well as what they do to the body. Virology does the same for the many different viruses that may seek to do us harm.Dont even get us started on biologys role in the study of genetics and DNA. Scientists are now able to pinpoint exactly where certain predispositions to certain diseases exists without our biological makeup, how theyre passed from generation to generation, and even working on breakthroughs to remove undesirable traits from people on a molecular level. Its absolutely fascinating to think of the endless possibilities that biology is gradually opening the door for when it comes to our health. Proper NutritionBy knowing how our body works and what it reacts positively to, nutritionists are able to devise the perfect diet for our needs whether that be losing weight or gaining it, fueling heavy exercise or just an office job. Its all about proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and other key nutrients, how our body breaks them down, and where they fit into the equation of our overall health. This is the main concern of biochemistry.For instance, were aware that sugar provides an energy spike but leads to a rough crash afterwards because of the way our body digests it and turns it into something we can use. We also know it can create unwanted fat deposits and do some bad things to our teeth. These are all things dealt with by nutritional biology.When you make the decision to eat healthier youre actually putting aspects of biology to work without even knowing it. Exercise ScienceNext time you watch sports, remember that youre seeing biologys influence in action. The athletes competing are capable of such amazing feats of speed and strength partially because of our understanding the human body through anatomy and other branches of biology. Scientists have used this knowledge to create the methods of training that help propel our sports stars to incredible heights.And it goes beyond lifting weights to build muscle or running to develop endurance. Physiologists get into the nitty gritty about how and why our muscles react to stress. They discover what causes us to become dehydrated. Or what provides us with the energy to run marathons or dunk a basketball.On the surface, you might just think you run out of breath when you run too far. But for exercise physiologists, theyre not content with such a basic explanation. Theyve dug deep to realize exactly how our body uses oxygen and the complex series of reactions that make us tired. To learn more about the science of exercise, youll want to take a look at this well-reviewed course.Understanding Our EnvironmentHumans arent the only living things biology is concerned with. It also tells us all about plants and animals how they live, what theyre made up of, and how they interact with mankind and each other. This enables us to make the most of our planets natural resources while trying to minimize the impact we have on the environment. ConservationismBy understanding how nature really works and what allows it to flourish, were able to pinpoint what ways we might cause harm to it and look for more environmentally friendly menthods of doing things. Ecology, for example, studies the relationship between animals, plants, and the environment, helping us understand how the things humans and other animals do can hurt or help Mother Nature.Conservation biology measures extinction rates and analyzes how each species fits within the ecosystem to identify which animals are crucial to maintaining balance. But evolutionary biology also helps us understand how things have evolved over time and that not every species can survive for the long haul.Scientists are even working with economists to determine natural capital, or the economic value of our environment and wildlife to make things more tangible to businessmen and world leaders. We rely so heavily on all the things we get from the environment food, oxygen, shelter, fuel that it only makes sense to get a better understanding of how to keep it thrivingIf youd like to do your part to help the environment,give this course on growing your own permaculture garden a try. Using Natural ResourcesA huge part of maintaining our environment is finding the best ways to harness the Earths natural resources in ways that are safe, efficient, and dont cause too much damage to nature. This includes everything from drilling oil to chopping down trees.The great things about trees and other renewable resources is the fact that they can grow back or replenish themselves naturally over time. But not if theyre cut, burned, or mined too quickly and aggressively. Biology helps us find a balance between taking advantage of the tools we have while not destroying those same tools for future generations.Through studying the best ways to fuel our needs for energy and materials, were also able to find ways to make the most out of what we have and even find alternatives that work just as well. For example, using corn to create ethanol fuel as a potential replacement or supplement to the oil we currently use to power our cars. Harvesting FoodPlants are living organisms just like the rest of us, meaning biology takes an interest in them too. Agrobiology deals specifically with determining the best soil conditions to deliver nutrients to plants to make them grow big and strong. This can have a significant impact on a farmers crop yields.Botany, the branch of biology that deals with the study of plants, is how we know what plants we can eat in the first place. Unless you want to go around tasting every berry and fruit you come across to see which ones are good to eat, wed recommend relying on our biology experts to tell us whats what. The science also plays a huge role in raising livestock like cows and chickens. By utilizing some of that nutrition we talked about earlier and applying it to farm animals, were able to get them nice and big so they provide plenty of meat and fertilizer.Fishing, too. Theres marine biology and freshwater biology, among others, to teach us what fish are where and how good they are to eat. Theres even a field of biology dedicated to just studying fish, but we wont make you try to pronounce that one. And sure, our ancestors were catching fish long before they understood the intricacies of science but that doesnt mean we dont benefit greatly from it with more efficient fishing methods, bigger hauls, and even fish farming.Its Literally EverywhereThe information biology has taught us is present in everything we know. Look in the mirror. Your ability to identify the parts of your face can be credited to anatomy. What you eat for lunch was influenced by biology and put on your plate with the help of biology .The medication or vitamins you take daily, your exercise routine it all comes back to that fundamental science weve been telling you about. Pay attention to all the things you do today and see if you can point out their connection to biology. And if you want to connect it to your business by embracing the growing biotechnology industry,this course will show you how.

Biotechnologyis the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use" (UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Art. 2).[1]Depending on the tools and applications, it often overlaps with the (related) fields ofbioengineering,biomedical engineering, etc.For thousands of years, humankind has used biotechnology inagriculture,food production, andmedicine.[2]The term is largely believed to have been coined in 1919 by HungarianengineerKroly Ereky. In the late 20th and early 21st century, biotechnology has expanded to include new and diversesciencessuch asgenomics,recombinant genetechniques, appliedimmunology, and development ofpharmaceuticaltherapies anddiagnostic tests.[2]History:Although not normally what first comes to mind, many forms of human-derivedagricultureclearly fit the broad definition of "'utilizing a biotechnological system to make products". Indeed, the cultivation of plants may be viewed as the earliest biotechnological enterprise.Agriculturehas been theorized to have become the dominant way of producing food since theNeolithic Revolution. Through early biotechnology, the earliest farmers selected and bred the best suited crops, having the highest yields, to produce enough food to support a growing population. As crops and fields became increasingly large and difficult to maintain, it was discovered that specific organisms and their by-products could effectivelyfertilize,restore nitrogen, andcontrol pests. Throughout the history of agriculture, farmers have inadvertently altered the genetics of their crops through introducing them to new environments andbreedingthem with other plants one of the first forms of biotechnology.BioinformaticsBioinformaticsis the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. Computers are used to gather, store, analyze and integrate biological and genetic information which can then be applied to gene-based drug discovery and development.Technology is a process and a body of knowledge as much as a collection of artifacts. Biology is no differentand we are just beginning to comprehend the challenges inherent in the next stage of biology as a human technology. It is this critical moment, with its wide-ranging implications, thatRobert Carlsonconsiders inBiology Is Technology. He offers a uniquely informed perspective on the endeavors that contribute to current progress in this areathe science of biological systems and the technology used to manipulate them.In a number of case studies, Carlson demonstrates that the development of new mathematical, computational, and laboratory tools will facilitate the engineering of biological artifactsup to and including organisms and ecosystems. Exploring how this will happen, with reference to past technological advances, he explains how objects are constructed virtually, tested using sophisticated mathematical models, and finally constructed in the real world.Such rapid increases in the power, availability, and application of biotechnology raise obvious questions about who gets to use it, and to what end. Carlsons thoughtful analysis offers rare insight into our choices about how to develop biological technologies and how these choices will determine the pace and effectiveness of innovation as a public good.The field of biotechnology has exploded in recent years with many discoveries and applications that promises solutions to some of todays most pressing issues such as biofuels and environmental remediation. However, human has used organisms and facilitated their evolution for thousands of years. The practice of artificial selection and domestication of plants and animals dates back 9000-10000 years. Around 4000 B.C., it was known that Egyptians used yeast to ferment their food. This resulted in the creation of many new food products including bread, cheese, and wine.ADVANTAGES:

(1) Bioinformatics. Makes the rapid organization and analysis of biological data possible, via interdisciplinary approaches which address biological problems using computational techniques. The field may also be referred to as computational biology, and can be defined as, "conceptualizing biology in terms of molecules, and then applying informatics techniques to understand and organize the information associated with these molecules, on a large scale." Bioinformatics plays a key role in various areas, such as functional genomics, structural genomics, and proteomics, and forms a key component in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector.

(2) Blue biotechnology. Marine and aquatic applications of biotechnology, used to improve cleanup of toxic spills, improve yields of fisheries, etc.

(3) Green biotechnology. Agricultural uses of biotechnology, such as the selection and domestication of plants via micropropagation, designing transgenic plants to grow under specific environmental conditions or in the presence (or absence) of certain agricultural chemicals, development of more environmentally friendly solutions than traditional industrial agriculture (e.g., the engineering of a plant to express a pesticide, thereby eliminating the need for external application of pesticides, like Bt corn). Among the benefits are crops with better taste, texture, appearance, aroma, nutrition, yield, robustness in adverse environmental conditions, and resistance to herbs, fungi, and pests.

(4) Red biotechnology. Application of biotechnology to medicine, including the designing of organisms to produce antibiotics, and the engineering of genetic cures through genomic manipulation. Other areas:

(a) Drug production. Genetically altered mammalian cells, such as Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, are also used to manufacture certain pharmaceuticals. Another promising new biotechnology application is the development of plant-made pharmaceuticals. A genetically engineered bacterium produces vast quantities of synthetic human insulin at relatively low cost. Biotechnology has also made it possible to cheaply produce human growth hormone, clotting factors for hemophiliacs, fertility drugs, erythropoietin, and other drugs.(b) Pharmacogenomics. The study of how genetic inheritance affects an individual's response to drugs, in order to design tailor-made medicines adapted uniquely to each persons genetic makeup, based on the proteins, enzymes and RNA molecules that are associated with specific genes and diseases, to optimize drug dosage, maximize therapeutic effects, and decrease damage to nearby healthy cells. Pharmacogenomics should also significantly expedite the drug discovery process.(c) Gene therapy. Treating or even curing of genetic and acquired diseases like cancer and AIDS by using normal genes to supplement or replace defective genes, or to bolster a normal function such as immunity.(d) Genetic testing. DNA probes can be injected that will bind to any mutated sequences in a human's genome, flagging the mutation. DNA sequences in a diseased patient can also be compared to healthy individuals in order to determine the genetic cause of a malady (e.g., carrier screening, confirmational diagnosis of symptomatic individuals, forensic/identity testing, newborn screening, prenatal diagnostic screening, presymptomatic testing for estimating the risk of developing disorders).(e) Improved vaccines. Vaccines can be developed that will elicit the immune response without the attendant risks of infection, and that will be relatively inexpensive, stable, easy to store, and capable of being engineered to carry several strains of pathogen simultaneously.(f) Biopharmaceuticals. By using computer-generated images of complex molecules such as proteins, the underlying mechanisms and pathways of a malady can be better understood and targeted.(g) New medical therapies. Biotechnology has led to treatments for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cancers, arthritis, haemophilia, bone fractures, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disorders.(h) Diagnostics. The biotechnology industry has also been instrumental in developing molecular diagnostic devices that can be used to define the target patient population for a given biopharmaceutical. Herceptin, for example, was the first drug approved for use with a matching diagnostic test and is used to treat breast cancer in women whose cancer cells express the protein HER2.

(5) White biotechnology. Also known as industrial biotechnology. Exemplified by the designing of an organism to produce a useful chemical, the use of enzymes as industrial catalysts to either produce valuable chemicals or destroy hazardous/polluting chemicals, and the development of biotechnological processes that consume fewer resources than traditional processes used to produce industrial goods.

(4) Bioeconomics. Investment in applied biotechnologies to increase economic output

DISADVANTAGES:

(1) Loss of privacy. Medical and genetic information is more likely to be stored and shared.

(2) Discrimination. Private insurers, employers, and governmental entities are more likely to discriminate against people who have genetic or medical anomalies, especially if such information is available in databases.

(3) Cloning. Reproductive cloning could create "Frankensteins" or result in eugenic practices. Therapeutic cloning is also regarded as unethical by some groups, primarily religious organizations.

(4) Transformations of wild species. Exposure of wild species to genetically modified crops or domestic livestock could cause "super species" to evolve with resistance to pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

(5) Loss of biodiversity. Development of genetically modified crops or domestic livestock could reduce genetic variety among both domesticated and wild species.

(6) Harmful chemicals. Although biotechnology will generate many new and valuable chemicals, some chemicals with unknown or damaging environmental impacts are likely to be developed.Source(s):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotechnolo...LAlawMedMBA 7 years ago

The wide concept of "biotech" or "biotechnology" encompasses a wide range of procedures for modifying living organisms according to human purposes, going back todomesticationof animals, cultivation of plants, and "improvements" to these through breeding programs that employartificial selectionandhybridization. Modern usage also includesgenetic engineeringas well ascellandtissue culturetechnologies. TheAmerican Chemical Societydefines biotechnology as the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes by various industries to learning about the science of life and the improvement of the value of materials and organisms such as pharmaceuticals, crops, and livestock.[3]As perEuropean Federation of Biotechnology, Biotechnology is the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services.[4]Biotechnology also writes on the pure biological sciences (animal cell culture,biochemistry,cell biology,embryology,genetics,microbiology, andmolecular biology). In many instances, it is also dependent on knowledge and methods from outside the sphere of biology including: bioinformatics, a new brand ofcomputer science bioprocess engineering biorobotics chemical engineeringConversely, modern biological sciences (including even concepts such asmolecular ecology) are intimately entwined and heavily dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and what is commonly thought of as thelife sciencesindustry. Biotechnology is theresearch and developmentin thelaboratoryusingbioinformaticsfor exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from anyliving organismsand any source ofbiomassby means ofbiochemical engineeringwhere high value-added products could be planned (reproduced bybiosynthesis, for example), forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed for the purpose of sustainable operations (for the return from bottomless initial investment on R & D) and gaining durable patents rights (for exclusives rights for sales, and prior to this to receive national and international approval from the results on animal experiment and human experiment, especially on thepharmaceuticalbranch of biotechnology to prevent any undetected side-effects or safety concerns by using the products).[5][6][7]By contrast,bioengineeringis generally thought of as a related field that more heavily emphasizes higher systems approaches (not necessarily the altering or using of biological materialsdirectly) for interfacing with and utilizing living things. Bioengineering is the application of the principles of engineering and natural sciences to tissues, cells and molecules. This can be considered as the use of knowledge from working with and manipulating biology to achieve a result that can improve functions in plants and animals.[8]Relatedly,biomedical engineeringis an overlapping field that often draws upon and appliesbiotechnology(by various definitions), especially in certain sub-fields of biomedical and/or chemical engineering such astissue engineering, biopharmaceutical engineering, andgenetic engineering.History[edit]

Brewingwas an early application of biotechnologyMain article:History of biotechnologyAlthough not normally what first comes to mind, many forms of human-derivedagricultureclearly fit the broad definition of "'utilizing a biotechnological system to make products". Indeed, the cultivation of plants may be viewed as the earliest biotechnological enterprise.Agriculturehas been theorized to have become the dominant way of producing food since theNeolithic Revolution. Through early biotechnology, the earliest farmers selected and bred the best suited crops, having the highest yields, to produce enough food to support a growing population. As crops and fields became increasingly large and difficult to maintain, it was discovered that specific organisms and their by-products could effectivelyfertilize,restore nitrogen, andcontrol pests. Throughout the history of agriculture, farmers have inadvertently altered the genetics of their crops through introducing them to new environments andbreedingthem with other plants one of the first forms of biotechnology.These processes also were included in earlyfermentationofbeer.[9]These processes were introduced in earlyMesopotamia,Egypt,ChinaandIndia, and still use the same basic biological methods. Inbrewing, malted grains (containingenzymes) convert starch from grains into sugar and then adding specificyeaststo produce beer. In this process,carbohydratesin the grains were broken down into alcohols such as ethanol. Later other cultures produced the process oflactic acid fermentationwhich allowed the fermentation and preservation of other forms of food, such assoy sauce. Fermentation was also used in this time period to produceleavened bread. Although the process of fermentation was not fully understood untilLouis Pasteur's work in 1857, it is still the first use of biotechnology to convert a food source into another form.Before the time ofCharles Darwin's work and life, animal and plant scientists had already used selective breeding. Darwin added to that body of work with his scientific observations about the ability of science to change species. These accounts contributed to Darwin's theory of natural selection.[10]For thousands of years, humans have used selective breeding to improve production of crops and livestock to use them for food. In selective breeding, organisms with desirable characteristics are mated to produce offspring with the same characteristics. For example, this technique was used with corn to produce the largest and sweetest crops.[11]In the early twentieth century scientists gained a greater understanding ofmicrobiologyand explored ways of manufacturing specific products. In 1917,Chaim Weizmannfirst used a pure microbiological culture in an industrial process, that of manufacturingcorn starchusingClostridium acetobutylicum,to produceacetone, which theUnited Kingdomdesperately needed to manufactureexplosivesduringWorld War I.[12]Biotechnology has also led to the development of antibiotics. In 1928,Alexander Flemingdiscovered the moldPenicillium. His work led to the purification of the antibiotic compound formed by the mold by Howard Florey, Ernst Boris Chain and Norman Heatley - to form what we today know aspenicillin. In 1940, penicillin became available for medicinal use to treat bacterial infections in humans.[11]The field of modern biotechnology is generally thought of as having been born in 1971 when Paul Berg's (Stanford) experiments in gene splicing had early success. Herbert W. Boyer (Univ. Calif. at San Francisco) and Stanley N. Cohen (Stanford) significantly advanced the new technology in 1972 by transferring genetic material into a bacterium, such that the imported material would be reproduced. The commercial viability of a biotechnology industry was significantly expanded on June 16, 1980, when theUnited States Supreme Courtruled that agenetically modifiedmicroorganismcould bepatentedin the case ofDiamond v. Chakrabarty.[13]Indian-born Ananda Chakrabarty, working forGeneral Electric, had modified a bacterium (of thePseudomonasgenus) capable of breaking down crude oil, which he proposed to use in treating oil spills. (Chakrabarty's work did not involve gene manipulation but rather the transfer of entire organelles between strains of thePseudomonasbacterium.Revenue in the industry is expected to grow by 12.9% in 2008. Another factor influencing the biotechnology sector's success is improved intellectual property rights legislationand enforcementworldwide, as well as strengthened demand for medical and pharmaceutical products to cope with an ageing, and ailing, U.S. population.[14]Rising demand for biofuels is expected to be good news for the biotechnology sector, with theDepartment of Energyestimatingethanolusage could reduce U.S. petroleum-derived fuel consumption by up to 30% by 2030. The biotechnology sector has allowed the U.S. farming industry to rapidly increase its supply of corn and soybeansthe main inputs into biofuelsby developing genetically modified seeds which are resistant to pests and drought. By boosting farm productivity, biotechnology plays a crucial role in ensuring that biofuel production targets are met.[15]Examples[edit]Importance: Biotechnology is a technology based on biology. This article talks about the importance of biotechnology in our lives.The world we have live has been suffering for so long and humanity is facing an enormous problem on the excessive usage of natural resources. The energy we have been purging from these resources is diminishing and is now critically endangered for future use. Not only that but sudden changes to our environment brought tragedies and disaster that leaves mark for a lifetime. People has intelligently abuse our nature.

Its strange to know that most of the educated people regardless of gender are unaware of the importance of biotechnology in any aspects of our society, even though it is crystal clear that its technological value has foreseen for a long time to motivate the upcoming generations. It is certain that human existence and survival on the coming days rest on the development and rapidly advancement of biotechnology.Because of the advancement of thorough researched and development, the importance of biotechnology has come to existence. It is a field in biology that is extensively used in engineering, medicine, science and technology, agriculture and other valuable form of applications. Biotechnology can be a great solution to mankind struggles. So, what does its all about? Briefly, it is merely an applied principles of chemistry, physics and engineering comprise into biological structure.Application in modern era includes the field of genetic engineering. It is the usage of this technology to culture cells and tissues for the modification living organism for human purposes. By this, the importance of biotechnology in agriculture increases the crop production which makes it double or even higher than normal harvest. It has the ability to give biological protection from disease and pests, so a minor necessity for chemical insecticides. Biotechnology is capable of conveying genetic qualities of the crops that can withstand the changing climate condition, obtain an increase of nutritional qualities. This will provide the farmers a healthy lifestyle due to the less exposure of chemical residues and eventually give a higher profit.Benefits of biotechnology can also be experienced in the medical institution. Its technological application includes pharmaceutical products and medicines, and human therapy. It helps produced large quantity of protein for nutritional supplements and insulin for diabetic patient treatment. The gene therapy, in which is the most successful result of biotechnology research use to cure aids and cancer.Application on biotechnology can be seen in industrial plant and factories. They are used to give an improved effectiveness and competence in production process while reducing the impact to the environmental issues. Waste products can be treated and recycled as a help to preserve natural resources.It is beyond expectation on what the biotechnology has accomplished and reached in just a matter of time. Humanity has just start to comprehend and recognized the endless opportunities it has open. As technology assures to provide solution to every frightening problem we face every now and then, so is mankind is expecting a more develop biotechnology in the future. A technology that is more reliable and firm. This is the importance of biotechnology; revolution of the future technology.Do share your thoughts on Importance of Biotechnology in the comments below.We hope this essay helped you in your assignment. You can also submit your essay on MyEssayPoint.com and help out others,click here.

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