Biotechnology, Fermentation, and Drug Discovery Milestones
Technology and Biotechnology Fundamentals
- Technology applies scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
Defining Biotechnology
- An interdisciplinary field utilizing living systems and organisms to develop or make products.
Key Biotechnology Innovations
CRISPR Gene Editing
- A technology used to precisely manipulate DNA.
- The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for their work on CRISPR.
Botox (Botulinum Toxin)
- Derived from Clostridium botulinum, producing
Horizontal Gene Transfer and Major Biogeochemical Cycles
Mechanisms of Asexual Reproduction and Gene Transfer
Reproduction is asexual. Haploid organisms possess mechanisms that facilitate parasexual genetic transference (Horizontal Gene Transfer).
Transformation
Transformation occurs when a recipient cell captures free DNA from the surrounding medium, often through a complex protein present in the cell wall. This DNA originates from another cell. The transformed cell incorporates these new genes. Cells capable of undergoing transformation are considered
Read MoreBioenergetics: Free Energy, ATP Hydrolysis, and Metabolic Pathways
Cellular Bioenergetics and Thermodynamics
Physical systems of the universe are governed by the laws of thermodynamics, tending always towards greater disorder (entropy).
The cell utilizes energy from its environment to perform vital functions, releasing equivalent amounts as heat or other forms of energy that contribute to the increased disorder of the universe.
Free Energy and the Laws of Thermodynamics
Free Energy: It is a form of energy capable of doing useful work under constant conditions of
Read MoreEssential Concepts in Biology, Ecology, and Disaster Management
Disaster Management Principles and Practices
Post-Disaster Management Activities
- Providing all types of necessary help to victims of disasters.
- Participation of preferably local people saved from the disaster in arranging help for victims.
- Quick establishment of help centers. Different types of disasters require different types of control centers.
- Categorization of help material received from the control center, delivering the material to victims, and continuous review of the assistance provided.
- Being
Essential Concepts in Organic Chemistry and Pharmacology
Conformational Isomers of n-Butane (C4H10)
Conformational isomers, also known as conformers or rotamers, are molecules that share the same molecular formula and bond sequence but differ in their three-dimensional arrangement of atoms. This difference arises due to rotation around single bonds.
Staggered and Eclipsed Conformations
When we rotate the carbon-carbon single bond in n-butane, we observe two main types of conformations:
- Staggered Conformation: In this conformation, the hydrogen atoms on adjacent
Placental Structure, Circulation, and Hormonal Function
Vascular Villi Organization
The vascular villi are formed by the smooth chorion and become individualized. Along the axes of these primitive villi, 25 to 50 daughter villi (free or hooked) develop for each primitive villus. Most reach the basal plate and are inserted into it.
The primitive villus hypertrophies, and its trunk is called the first-order villous stem. This stem gives rise to second-order villous stems, which divide in turn into third-order villous stems that adhere to the basal plate.
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