Producing more food with biotechnology
- Modern biotechnology lets us make large amounts of food to feed a growing population.
- It uses microorganisms and genetic engineering to produce foods and useful substances.
Key Idea
Biotechnology uses living organisms, often microorganisms, to make food and medicines on a large scale.
Mycoprotein
Definition
Mycoprotein
A protein-rich food made from the fungus Fusarium, which is grown in large fermenters.
- Mycoprotein is a protein-rich food made from the fungus Fusarium.
- The fungus is grown in large tanks called fermenters, with sugar as food and carefully controlled conditions.
- The mycoprotein is then harvested and used to make meat-free foods.
Common Mistake
- Do not confuse mycoprotein with meat.
- It comes from a fungus grown in a fermenter, not from an animal.
Genetic engineering
Definition
Genetic engineering
Changing the genes of an organism by inserting a gene from another organism, for example to make bacteria produce human insulin or to improve a crop.
- Genetic engineering changes an organism's genes by adding a gene from another organism.
- Bacteria have been engineered to produce human insulin for treating diabetes.
- Crops have been engineered to give bigger yields or to resist disease and pests, helping to feed more people.
Self review
- What organism is mycoprotein made from, and where is it grown?
- What is genetic engineering?
- Which medicine is produced by genetically engineered bacteria?
- Give one way GM crops can help feed a growing population.
