How Is Biotechnology Used in Food Production?
Learn how biotechnology produces mycoprotein from Fusarium and improves GM crops for food production, with the key differences to remember for GCSE Biology.
Biotechnology is used in food production to grow microorganisms as food and to develop crops with useful characteristics. In AQA GCSE Biology, examples include producing mycoprotein from a fungus and using genetic modification to improve crops. This answer assumes AQA separate GCSE Biology; these examples are covered at both Foundation and Higher tier.
Producing mycoprotein
Mycoprotein is a protein-rich food suitable for vegetarians. It is produced by growing the fungus Fusarium on glucose syrup in aerobic conditions, which means oxygen is available. As the fungus grows, it produces more biomass: the material that makes up living organisms. The fungal biomass is then harvested and purified to make the food product.
The sequence to remember is: grow Fusarium on glucose syrup, supply oxygen, then harvest and purify the biomass. This is an example of biotechnology because a living organism is used to produce something useful. Growing a fungus for food does not, by itself, mean that the fungus has been genetically modified.
Improving crops
Genetic engineering involves introducing a gene from another organism into a crop to give it a desired characteristic. A gene is a section of DNA that carries instructions for making a protein. Genetically modified (GM) crops can be made resistant to insect attack or disease, or developed to produce bigger fruit. They generally show increased yields, meaning more crop can be produced. Golden rice is an example linked to improved nutritional value.
There are also concerns to consider. GM crops may affect populations of wild flowers and insects, and some people feel that the effects of eating them on human health have not been fully explored. A benefit such as increased yield therefore does not remove the need to consider possible risks.
Exam mistake to avoid: do not describe mycoprotein as a GM crop. Mycoprotein production grows and harvests fungal biomass; genetic engineering changes a crop’s genetic material to give it a desired characteristic.
