Chapter 2 The Historical Development of Biotechnology BIOTECHNOLOGY

Chapter 2: The Historical Development of Biotechnology BIOTECHNOLOGY: AN AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION BY: RAY V. HERREN MOST OF THIS CONTENT IS TAKEN FROM DELMAR CENGAGE LEARNING

Biotechnology According to Biotechnology in the Realm of History Biotechnology Derived from biology and technology Technology which makes our life convenient and comfortable with the employment of biological resources

Present Biotechnology = a buzz word nowadays As time goes by and the way our way of life is heading it seems as if biotechnology has become an essential component of our life Became important in the last 2 decades Touched our lives in many if not all aspects food, health and animal life

Various stages of development Developed on observations Divided into 3 stages Ancient Biotechnology (Pre 1800) Classical Biotechnology Modern Biotechnology

Ancient Biotechnology PRE 1800

Pre 1800 Most developments can be describes as discoveries or developments prior to 1800 Many were common observations about nature Initial period of evolution of farming development of food preservation and storage clay jars etc. Then moved to observations of cheese, vinegar, and yeast Finally crossbreeding mule = male donkey and a female horse used for transportation, carrying loads and farming

Beginnings of Biotechnology Transitioned to permanent settlements and learned to: Contain/maintain plants and animals Create more reliable food sources Biotechnology began with this transition approximately 7, 000 to 12, 000 years ago

First Biotechnology Processes Crop production genesis Selection and storage of best plants and seeds Identified animals most adaptable to domestication With animal taming came multiple uses for not only its meat but also its parts E. g. , sinews as strings for tying tools, hooves boiled to make glue

Start of Society Produced enough food to be stationary Had more time to create labor-saving tools Needing fewer people to produce food Allowed some people to specialize Developed new technologies Gathered and recorded knowledge Produced specialty goods Developed into villages and cities

Start of Financial Systems Society’s development paved the way to plant and animal profitability by: Producing food to eat Gaining something of value others wanted Excess food traded to accumulate items Barter systems gave way to financial ones Money was more portable than traded items

History of Food Preservation Travel necessitated food preservation Cured animal stomachs used for storage Legend of milk stored in calf’s stomach Heat and sloshing caused coagulation Milk turned to cheese by journey’s end Settlements prompted year-round preservation and storage methods Early method: Fruit-juice storage

Basics of Bread Making Began early in civilization Found grass seeds good to eat Ground wheat seed produced flour Yeast gave volume and taste New types of breads developed Each new development involved biotechnology This weeks lab!!! Bread making

Start of the Science of Genetics Planted seeds from crops that produced foods that: They desired most Yielded largest quantity and highest quality Identified plants and animals with superior offspring Bred those with superior traits to create hybrids Much progress with new varieties in 1700 s

Discovery of Cells Microscope invented in 1600 s Earliest biotechnology milestone Hooke examined thin slice of cork Coined term “cells” because tiny spaces looked like prison cells Research began Many cell theories followed Opened door to cell manipulation

Classical Biotechnology 1800 TO THE MIDDLE OF THE 20 TH CENTURY

Theory of Heredity Mendel developed theory in mid-1800 s Explained how traits passed to offspring Theory arose from his observations of garden peas Differences in appearances and texture from generation to generation Led to breeding research and other laws

Advancements of Disease Prevention and Treatment 19 th century Discovered germs cause diseases Louis Pasteur Learned to prevent disease in sheep by using survivor’s blood for injections into healthy sheep Led to many new vaccines for animals and humans

Discovery of Penicillin Fleming studied bacteria in 1920 s Saw Penicillium inhibited bacteria growth Extracts became first antibiotic penicillin Many “miracle drugs” followed Saved millions of human lives Eradicated many animal diseases

Artificial Insemination Great boost to animal agriculture In Middle Ages, Arabs first used to breed stallions Used large scale in United States (U. S. ) in 1930 s Freezing technique perfected in 1950 s Allowed global semen shipping and storage Made superior sires more available

Embryo Transfer From one female to another Became widespread in 1970 s Superior females could produce multiple offspring Combined with artificial insemination, allowed rapid production of superior animals

In Vitro Process Capability of cells’ genes long known New organism made from one cell in 1950 Used in vitro process to grow plant from single cell In vitro means “in glass” Started plant not from seed but in petri dish with single cell

Gene Transfer Parents transfer genetic information to offspring Methods were mystery until 1950 s Watson and Crick published model of DNA Key to gene transfer contained in double-helix shape

Basics of DNA Genetic material in cell’s nucleus Alternating units of phosphoric acid and deoxyribose Form of double helix that contains number, order, and type of nucleotides Helix structure determines code transmitted from one generation to the next

Basics of Genetic Engineering Genetics’ knowledge applied in 1980 s Genetic engineering Transfer genes to express traits Microbes are natural “genetic engineers” Gene splicing Transplant gene from one organism into another organism