BSCI 124 - SECTION 2001
PLANT BIOLOGY FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS

Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics

    The World Food Problem and Plant Biotechnology
 

    THE WORLD FOOD PROBLEM

        I. Basic human requirements
            A. Primary
            B. Secondary
            C. Why the concern?

        II. Carrying capacity
            A. Carrying capacity = the maximum population a given ecosystem (or planet) can support
                    1. Limitations: water, food, space.
            B. What does sustainability mean?

        III. World population growth
            A. Population projections: 6 billion in 1999; and double that in 2050
            B. What factors drive the world’s rapid population growth?

        IV. Summary of some world food problems
            A. Quantity and quality foods
            B. Poverty
            C. Dependence on too few crops
            D. Declining genetic diversity or variability

        V. Sustainable solutions
 

        PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY

        Can we meet human needs for food, energy, medicines, and a cleaner environment if we turn to genetic engineering?

        I. Plant biotechnology = the use of plants or plant products to benefit humans
            A. Two methods:
                1. Traditional plant breeding
                2. Plant recombinant DNA technology  (Genetic engineering)

        II. Traditional plant breeding
            A. Crossing same species or closely related species of plants
            B. Breeding steps
                1. Select desired trait
                2. Hybridize or cross parents
                3. Select offspring that carry the desired trait
            C. Plant Breeding successes: Green Revolution resulted in high yielding wheat varieties
            D. Breeding limitations

        III. Plant recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering)
            A. Inserting genes from any organism into plants
            B. Basic procedure:
                1. Cut out the desired DNA gene sequence from any organism using restriction enzymes.
                2. Insert the desired DNA fragment into a bacteria plasmid (a small closed circular piece of DNA)
                3. Bacteria makes copies of plasmid and also copies of the piece of desired DNA.
                4. Transfer to plant’s DNA.
                5. Tissue culture technique and the selection of plants that carry the desired inserted piece of DNA.
            C. Advantages of the genetic engineering method
            D. Intended benefits of genetic engineering
            E. Criticisms of genetic engineering