Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or their components to develop useful products for medicine, agriculture, and industry. NEET often tests principles, processes, and applications of biotechnology including genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, PCR, and gene cloning.
Understanding the principles and stepwise processes helps students answer MCQs, diagram-based, and conceptual questions efficiently.
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Isolation of genetic material
DNA is extracted from donor cells using chemical or enzymatic methods.
Restriction and modification of DNA
Restriction enzymes (endonucleases) cut DNA at specific sequences
Ligases join DNA fragments
Gene cloning and expression
Recombinant DNA inserted into host cells via vectors
Gene is expressed to produce proteins
Screening and selection
Identification of successfully modified organisms
NEET Formula / Fact:
Biotechnology = DNA isolation + Restriction digestion + Ligation + Transformation + Screening
A. Restriction Enzymes (REs):
Cut DNA at specific palindromic sequences
Types:
Type I → Cleaves away from recognition site
Type II → Cleaves at recognition site (most used)
Example: EcoRI, HindIII
B. Vectors:
DNA molecules that carry foreign DNA into host cells
Types:
Plasmids → Circular DNA in bacteria
Bacteriophages → Viral vectors
Cosmids → Hybrid plasmid-phage vectors
C. Host Cells:
Commonly E. coli, yeast, animal cells
NEET Tip:
REs → DNA cutting, ligases → Joining, vectors → Transport
Definition:
Joining DNA from two different sources to form new DNA molecules
Steps:
Isolation of DNA from donor and vector
Cutting DNA using restriction enzymes
Ligation → Formation of recombinant DNA
Introduction into host → Transformation
Screening and selection of transformed cells
NEET Formula / Memory Aid:
DNA + RE → Fragments → Ligase → Recombinant DNA → Host → Expression
Definition:
Producing multiple copies of a gene using recombinant DNA techniques
Steps:
Isolation of target gene
Insertion into suitable vector
Introduction into host (bacterial transformation)
Host replication → Gene copies produced
Selection using antibiotic markers or reporter genes
Applications:
Production of insulin, human growth hormone, clotting factors
Research and diagnostics
NEET Tip:
Use plasmid map diagrams to visualize cloning
Definition:
Amplification of specific DNA sequences in vitro
Steps:
Denaturation → DNA strands separate (~95°C)
Annealing → Primers attach (~55°C)
Extension → DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA (~72°C)
Repeat → Multiple cycles → Exponential amplification
NEET Tip:
PCR → Rapid gene detection, cloning, forensic studies
NEET Formula / Memory Aid:
Amplified DNA copies = 2ⁿ (where n = number of cycles)
A. Medicine:
Insulin production using E. coli
Vaccines → Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine
Gene therapy → Treat genetic disorders
B. Agriculture:
Bt crops → Insect-resistant
Golden rice → Vitamin A enriched
Disease-resistant crop varieties
C. Industry:
Enzyme production → Amylases, proteases
Fermentation → Alcohol, organic acids
D. Environmental:
Bioremediation → Microbes degrade pollutants
NEET Tip:
Connect microbe/vector → product → application
Recombinant organisms → containment required
GM crops → Regulatory approval
Gene therapy → Ethical issues regarding human germline modifications
NEET Tip:
Questions may ask advantages, limitations, and biosafety measures
Recombinant DNA process: DNA + RE → Ligase → Vector → Host → Expression
PCR amplification formula: DNA copies = 2ⁿ
Gene cloning: Target gene + Vector + Host → Gene copies
Industrial application mnemonic: Medicine, Agriculture, Industry, Environment → M-A-I-E
Memorize steps of recombinant DNA technology
Diagram-based questions → Plasmid map, gene cloning, PCR cycles
Focus on products of biotechnology → Insulin, vaccines, Bt crops
Understand ethical issues and biosafety measures
Biotechnology – Principles and Processes is a high-yield NEET topic. Mastery of recombinant DNA technology, gene cloning, PCR, vectors, restriction enzymes, and applications is essential for scoring in MCQs, diagram-based, and conceptual questions.
With this StudentBro.in guide, students can efficiently revise formulas, steps, and applications, enhancing speed and accuracy during NEET exams.
Remember: Biotechnology = DNA isolation + Restriction + Ligation + Transformation + Screening → Applications in Medicine, Agriculture, Industry, Environment.