Download Unit 4: Biotechnology/Ecology/Energy: Section B in textbook 1) Give

Unit 4: Biotechnology/Ecology/Energy: Section B in textbook
1) Give a definition and short example of each of the following biotechnology terms:
Biotechnology
Biotechnology Term
Inserting a gene for a specific
trait into the DNA of an
organism
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Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
Breeding 2 members of the
same species to create a
desirable trait
Artificial Selection (Artificial Breeding)
Cloning
Example
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Creating a genetically identical
copy of an organism
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Genetic Testing
Screening/testing an organism
to see if it has a specific
genotype for a trait.

Inserting genes into
crops that make them
distasteful to pests
This same technology
can be used to treat
cancers using genetic
therapy vs
chemo/radiation
Creating dog breeds.
Dogs are bred for a
specific body shape,
coat, etc
Breeding crops. Corn
has been selectively
bred to be sweeter and
larger kernels
Cloning lab mice for
medical testing
Cloning the sheep
“Dolly”
Testing human for
diseases such as
Parkinsons.
2) How is biotechnology used in the field of Microbiology? It is used in cellular and disease research, creation of antibiotics,
immunizations and antiviral medications.
3) What are some pros and cons (at least 3 of each) in the GMO debate?
Pros:
Farmers could be able to produce more nutritious food using less pesticides, herbicides and water
GMO crops have a longer shelf life
GMO crops are necessary to be able to feed a fast growing world population
Cons:
May lead to the creation of “super” pests that evolve to become resistant to GMO crops
Allergic reactions to food because unfamiliar proteins are being created by GMO foods
Introduction of genetically modified crops into wild populations could have unforeseen environmental impact
Choose a specific ecosystem to focus on (example: rainforest, ocean, etc) and answer all of the following questions with that
ecosystem in mind:
4) Draw an energy pyramid for your ecosystem, and include a few examples of organisms at each level of the pyramid:
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Label each level of the pyramid as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers.
Label where the most energy vs. the least energy is found based on the “Rule of 10”
Least Energy
Most Energy
5) Provide examples of the following within your ecosystem:
Biotic factor- grass, coyote, road runner, lizard, butterfly
Abiotic factor- rocks, temperature, amt of sunlight, water
Autotroph- grass
Heterotroph- lizard, road runner, coyote
Population- all the coyotes
Niche of a specific organism- road runners catch their prey on the ground, they live among the scrub, tertiary consumer of the
lizard, carnivore, live in desert habitats, heterotroph
Density-dependent limiting factor- number of coyotes
Density-independent limiting factor- amount of water, weather conditions
Predator/prey relationship- coyote is predator of the road runner
Cooperation- white tail prairie dogs live in packs, during foraging several will serve as “look outs” for the rest of the family
Competition- neighboring plants compete with each other for water and nutrients in the soil
Coexistence- different desert rodents coexist by occupying different niches in the ecosystem
Parasitism- ticks are parasites on coyotes
Mutualism- the yucca moth depends exclusively on the yucca plant blossoms as a repository for eggs and on the seeds as a food
source for its larvae, and the yucca plant depends exclusively on the moth as an agent for pollination.
Example of a connection between an aquatic & terrestrial food chain6) How does energy move through an ecosystem vs. how matter moves through an ecosystem? Energy is transferred/transformed
while matter is recycled
7) Draw and label the steps of the nitrogen cycle with a brief explanation of each step.
8) Draw and label the steps of the carbon cycle with a brief explanation of each step.
9) Create a T-chart that gives examples of renewable vs. non-renewable resources
renewable: solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydro
nonrenewable: coal, natural gas, petroleum, nuclear
10) Come up with, and explain a link as to how biotechnology, ecology and energy could all be related or useful if knowledge from
each field were used together:
answers will vary
Recent article in the Charlotte Observer about the use of specifically bred bacteria to create a clean fuel source for cars.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/11/4891484/asheville-science-entrepreneur.html#.U3ntjMfY87A