IGCSEBiologyCIERevision Notes21. Biotechnology & Genetic Modification21.1 Biotechnology & Genetic Modification21.1.1 Usefulness of Bacteria

Usefulness of Bacteria (CIE IGCSE Biology)

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Use of Bacteria

Microorganisms can be used by humans to produce foods and other useful substances
The most common type of microorganisms used in biotechnology are bacteria
They are useful because they are capable of producing complex molecules (eg. certain bacteria added to milk produce enzymes that turn the milk into yoghurt)
They are also useful because they reproduce rapidly, meaning the amount of chemicals they can produce can also rapidly increase

Usefulness of Bacteria: Extended

In addition to the benefits of rapid reproduction and the ability to make complex molecules, bacteria have other benefits in biotechnology
- There are few ethical considerations to growing them in large numbers in the laboratory
- They possess plasmids
  - Plasmids are small, circular loops of DNA which can be an ideal way of transferring DNA from one cell to another during genetic manipulation

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Author: Phil

Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.