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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 Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Breeding 2 members of the same species to create a desirable trait Artificial Selection (Artificial Breeding) Cloning Example Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism 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: 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