Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

Science, Technology and Engineering

LEARING ACTIVITY SHEETS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Quarter 4: Week 5 & 6

APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

Biotechnology - Grade 8
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4: Week 5 & 6
APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
IN INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

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First Edition, 2019

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Published by the Department of Education

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Development Team of the Worksheets

Author: CORAZON V. WONG

Editors: IMELDA CONCEPCION B. MANUNTAG

Reviewer: ANABEL B. MEJIA (RMCHS)

Language Editor: MA. GINA A. ANAMA (RMCHS)

Cover Illustrator: MA. CONCEPCION P. BAGULAN

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 Biotechnology 8 Worksheet No.:
_____________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________________ Section: ______________

Date: ____________________________ Score: ______________

MELC: Quarter 4_Week 5 & 6_Biotechnology 8

Cite the applications of Biotechnology in industry and environment

Introduction:

Biotechnology-based industries using the technologies provided by the advances in science

and technology got started in the 1980s. Bioindustry companies are usually involved in the
manufacture of materials such as cell cultures, catalysts, genetic materials, vaccines,
antibodies, biochemicals, enzymes, proteins, and equipments used in biological and genetic
research on humans, plants, and animals. In the Philippines, government agencies, private
sector and academia are working together to boost the development of a strong bioindustry
in the country. Bioindustry in the Philippines can be progressive in the following areas:
improved traditional biotech products (fish sauce and paste, nata de coco, local beverages
and wines), immunochemicals, for selected local uses and for export, biofertilizers, biofuels,
nutraceuticals, alternative health products, improved crop varieties with important
agronomic/horticultural quality traits, plant tissue-cultured materials. Industrial biotechnology
uses enzymes and microorganisms to make bio-based products such as chemicals, food
ingredients, detergents, paper, textiles, and biofuels. Industrial biotechnology has produced
enzymes for use in our daily lives and for the manufacturing sector.

To address environmental concerns, included herein are biotechnologies which protect the
environment such as substitutes for chemical fertilizers, use of enzymes to facilitate
composting, use of live microorganisms to fix nitrogen, or to make soil nutrients available to
the plant. The use of recombinant plants which accumulate and sequester toxic heavy
metals has been utilized to restore mined-out and degraded vast areas of land.

ACTIVITY 1 INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Direction: Read carefully the background information about the applications of

biotechnology in industry and answer the questions that follow.

Industrial biotechnology can be simply defined as the exploitation of enzymes

microorganisms, and plants to produce energy, industrial chemicals and consumer goods. It
involves the microbial production of enzymes, which are specialized proteins that speed up
chemical reactions. For centuries now, enzymes have played a key role in food production:
they are used to improve both the production processes and the product quality. In addition,
the digestibility of nutrients can also be enhanced with the help of enzymes. The traditional
sources of many enzymes have been plants and animals, examples are amylase from
germinating seeds and rennet from the stomach of slaughter animals. These sources are no
longer adequate to meet the growing demand for enzymes. Consequently, industrial
biotechnology companies are turning to microorganisms as sources. The use of

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microorganisms as a source material for enzyme production has developed for several
important reasons:

• There is no problem as far as seasonal availability of raw materials and possible

shortages due to climatic change. Microorganisms can be available all the time.

• In microorganisms, a wide array of enzyme characteristics such as pH range and

temperature resistance are available for selection.

• Enzyme yield and type could be optimized through selection of microbial strain,
producing changes in the genetic material and selection of conditions for growth.
Genetic engineering is being tapped to produce tailor-made microorganisms that will
synthesize important enzymes.

Recombinant industrial enzymes and their uses:

ENZYME APPLICATIONS

Chymosin For cheese production; 80 – 90% of all

cheese is produced using recombinant
chymosin

Proteases 35% of total enzyme market; For detergents,

meat and soy processing, leather treatment,
waste water treatment, organic synthesis

Amylases Used in the starch industry to produce high-

fructose syrup and ethanol

Phytases For use in animal feeds to break down

phytate

Laccases or polyphenol oxidases Used in textile industry for dye bleaching, in

the beverage industry for juice clarification

Cellulases and hemicellulases Used in textile industry for cotton softening

and denim finishing, in detergents

These enzymes have evolved in nature to be super performing biocatalyst that facilitate and
speed up complex biochemical reactions. The use of industrial biotechnology tools and
many specialized techniques can improve nature’s enzymes. Enzymes can work under
milder conditions, more specialized than chemicals, and often have less impact on natural
flavors and colors than other processes while also producing fewer side products. As
enzymes generally work at low temperatures, they contribute to lower energy consumption.

From your readings, answer the following questions.

 What are enzymes? Name at least five examples of enzymes used in industries.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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  Where do enzymes usually come from? How can large quantities of enzymes be
produced? __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2 BIOINDUSTRIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Early forms of biotechnology, such as the use of salt, yeasts, bacteria and other
microorganisms, have been used in industries for centuries. In modern times, biotech
scientists through biomanufacturing, uses enzymes and microbes to manufacture bio-based
products in various areas such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, food, paper,
textiles, and many other industries. Biomanufacturing products are recovered from natural
sources, such as blood, or from cultures of microbes, animal cells, or plant cells grown in
specialized equipment. The cells used during the production may have been naturally
occurring or derived using genetic engineering techniques. The use of genetically altered
microorganisms has greatly benefited the production of enzymes in worldwide industries.

Genetically-Engineered
Enzyme Organism Use

1. Alpha-acetolactate Bacteria Removes bitter substances

Decarboxylase from beer

2. Alpha-amylase Bacteria Converts starch to simple

sugars

3. Catalase Fungi Reduces food deterioration

(egg-based products)

4. Chymosin Bacteria or Fungi Clots milk protein to make

cheese

5. Cyclodextrin- Bacteria Modifies starch and sugar

glucosyl transferase

6. Beta-glucanase Bacteria Improves beer filtration

7. Glucose isomerase Bacteria Converts glucose sugar to

fructose sugar

8. Glucose oxidase Fungi Reduces food deterioration

(egg-based products)

9. Lipase Fungi Modifies oil and fat

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10. Maltogenic amylase Bacteria Slows staling of breads

11. Pectinesterase Fungi Improves fruit juice clarity

12. Protease Bacteria Improves bread dough

structure

13. Pullulanase Bacteria Converts starch to simple

sugar

14. Xylanase Bacteria or Fungi Enhances rising of bread

dough

 Describe at least two ways that enzymes are used in the food industry. __________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

 Discuss what biotech product you would like to develop and commercialize. ______
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

 The following are biotechnologies in the Philippines, identify which of the four types
of biotechnology is being described. (Medical, Agricultural, Industrial, Environmental)

____________1. Alcohol production from sugar cane, molasses, cassava, or

sorghum
____________2. Artificial insemination and embryo transfer
____________3. Compost and organic fertilizer
____________4. BIOCON for control of nematode pests
____________5. Bioactive therapeutic proteins
____________6. Amino acid production
____________7. Food products (wine, cheese, fish paste, nata de coco, achara)
____________8. Biofertilizers
____________9. Monoclonal antibodies
___________10. Genetically modified crops

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ACTIVITY 3 BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR A GREENER ENVIRONMENT

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) in its continuing efforts to
rehabilitate forest decline, conducted research projects using traditional and modern
biotechnology. Among these technologies are the following:

1. Clonal Propagation of Forest Trees: This technique of cloning plant species is

recommended when there is a shortage in the supply of seeds. It can also be used in
propagating endangered and threatened plant species. Non-mist macro somatic clonal
propagation is a process multiplying genetically identical plant species using large
vegetative parts like leaves, stem, and roots. It can be done in a small space, does not
require use of electricity, and watering is done in minimal amounts.

2. DNA Analysis: This technique is used to identify the differences among similar species
of trees. Knowing the genetic make-up of plant species is vital in identifying which will
likely adapt to the identified environment. If a plant has a genetically diverse DNA, it is
more adaptable to the changing environmental conditions. Low genetic diversity could
lead to more susceptibility to diseases. Having the knowledge on how to identify
genetically diverse species allows the implementation of proper and suitable measures
to conserve the highly degraded forests in the country.

3. Micropropagation Through Tissue Culture: This is an alternative way of faster and

more efficient multiplication of different species of plants in a laboratory. Plants
produced through micropropagation are disease-free, high quality, and multiply rapidly in
a shorter period of time.

4. High-Quality Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (Hi-Q VAM 1): This is a beneficial

fungus that allows plants to survive even in the most hostile soil conditions. Hi-Q VAM 1
attaches itself to the plant roots and allows better absorption of water and nutrients in
various soil conditions. It is cost-effective, environment-friendly, and sustainable. Its
multifunctional physiological properties help produce healthier and more robust forest and
fruit trees. The growth and survival rate of various high-quality planting materials doubled
with the inoculation of Hi-Q VAM 1.

5. Phytoremediation: This is the process where selected species of plants are used to
restore soil balance by absorbing heavy metals in degraded and unproductive vast areas
of land caused by mining operations.

Word Related to Environmental Biotechnology

Arrange the jumbled letters that correspond to the correct answer for each statement.
Explain why the word is related to environmental biotechnology. Write your answer on
the space provided below each statement.

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1. It refers to large forest tree
TERDIPARCOP ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

2. It means that a certain fungus is introduced to the plant roots for better
absorption of water and nutrients.
L A I N O C U T I O N ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3. It is the use of living plants and their associated microorganisms to absorb heavy
metals and restore the soil balance.
M E D I A T T O N P H I R E Y O ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

4. A kind of fungus that allow plants to survive even in the most hostile soil conditions.
I Z A R C H O M Y R ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

5. It means to produce genetically identical copies of a biological entity.

L I C N N O G __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Examine carefully and interpret briefly the images below on biotechnology innovations.
Write your answer on the space provided below.

_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
1.

_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

2.

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 ______________________________
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3.

______________________________
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4.

______________________________
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5.

ACTIVITY 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Several research and development efforts have led to the development of environment-
friendly techniques using traditional and modern biotechnology. Biotechnology strategies
are promoted nationwide to help contribute in the country’s economic and environmental
development.

1. The use of chlorine or chemical peroxide bleach in producing cotton textiles is now
replaced with more efficient and environmentally friendly biotech enzymes. This biotech
process emits carbon dioxide 25% less than the old method and reduces energy
consumption by 25%.
2. Polyesters are originally produced from petroleum. The biotech method involves a
genetically microbe that produces the basic unit, lactic acid which is polymerized into
biodegradable fiber used in making service wares, food and beverage packaging
materials. This method incurs 75–90% less carbon emission compared with production
from petroleum.
3. Plastics which are the biggest pollutants causing flooding are traditionally produced from
petroleum. Now biodegradable plastics made with genetically engineered microbes.
This process involves 80% reduced use of fossil energy.

4. Biofuels production is one of the earliest applications that reduces use of fossil fuels. The
ethanol plant in the Visayas and in other parts of the world uses a genetically engineered
yeast to produce ethanol for fuel.

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5. Novel enzymes are explored to convert biomass into biofuels. Algae are also explored in
the production of biodiesel. These biotechnology innovations in industrial processing
reduces carbon emissions.

All these innovations in industrial biotechnology will further reduce our dependence on
petroleum and fossil fuels for energy and consumer goods.

 Based on your readings, what is the role of biotechnology in mitigating the climate
change threat? _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

 How does biotechnology reduce greenhouse gases? _________________________

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

 Describe at least two ways enzymes are used in the industries. _________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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