21.1 Biotechnology and genetic modification

2026 Syllabus Objectives

  1. State that bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification due to their rapid reproduction rate and their ability to make complex molecules
  2. Discuss why bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic modification, limited to:
    • (a) few ethical concerns over their manipulation and growth
    • (b) the presence of plasmids

Key Definitions

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🔑 Biotechnology: Using organisms, usually microorganisms, to produce required substances

🔑 Genetic modification: Changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes

🔑 Plasmids: Little loops of DNA in bacteria, separate from the main chromosome, used to transfer genes between cells

Why Bacteria are Useful in Biotechnology 🦠

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Bacteria and other microorganisms are the most commonly used organisms in biotechnology. Understanding why they are so useful is essential for appreciating modern biotechnological processes.

Advantages of Using Bacteria

1. Rapid Reproduction Rate ⚡

Bacteria reproduce very quickly through binary fission. This rapid reproduction means:

  • Large populations can be produced in a short time
  • The amount of useful substances they produce can rapidly increase
  • Production processes are efficient and cost-effective

2. Ability to Make Complex Molecules

Bacteria are capable of producing complex chemical substances that are useful to humans, including:

  • Enzymes
  • Proteins
  • Antibiotics
  • Other organic compounds

3. Small Size and Easy Growth

  • Bacteria are very small and easy to grow in a laboratory
  • They do not take up a lot of space
  • Large-scale production can occur in relatively compact fermenters

4. Few Ethical Concerns

No one minds what is done to bacteria and fungi. There are few ethical issues like those that might arise if we used animals. This makes bacterial manipulation and growth more acceptable for:

  • Research purposes
  • Industrial-scale production
  • Genetic modification experiments

Unlike animals, bacteria:

  • Cannot feel pain or distress
  • Do not raise welfare concerns
  • Are not subject to the same ethical restrictions as higher organisms

5. Presence of Plasmids 📌

As well as their 'main' DNA (their 'chromosome'), bacteria also have little loops of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are particularly valuable because:

  • They are quite easy to transfer from one cell to another
  • They can be used for moving genes from one organism's cells to another
  • They are separate from the main bacterial chromosome, making them easy to remove and manipulate
  • They can be inserted back into bacterial cells after genetic modification

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