What are the biological terms for the following 1.process in biotechnology that is used to make human insulin in a bacterial cell 2.white blood cells produce antibodies in response to pathogens

1. The process described in biotechnology that is used to make human insulin in a bacterial cell is called recombinant DNA technology, specifically genetic engineering or gene cloning.

To understand this process in more detail, we first need to grasp some basic concepts. Insulin is a hormone produced in the human pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream. However, some individuals suffer from diabetes, a condition characterized by insufficient insulin production. To address this issue, scientists have developed a method to produce insulin using bacteria through genetic engineering.

In this process, a small section of human DNA that codes for insulin production is isolated. This segment of DNA, known as the insulin gene, is then combined with a bacterial DNA molecule called a plasmid. Plasmids are circular pieces of DNA found in bacteria that can be modified to carry new genetic information.

The next step involves inserting the modified plasmid into bacterial cells, typically a strain of E. coli. This is achieved through a process called transformation, where the bacterial cells take up the modified plasmid DNA. Once transformed, the bacterial cells now contain the insulin gene within their own DNA.

The transformed bacterial cells are then cultured and allowed to reproduce under controlled conditions. As the bacteria multiply, they also produce insulin. This allows for larger quantities of insulin to be generated, which can later be harvested, purified, and used for medical purposes.

2. The term for the process in which white blood cells produce antibodies in response to pathogens is called the adaptive immune response or acquired immunity.

Our immune system has two major components: the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. The innate immune response provides a rapid, non-specific defense against pathogens, while the adaptive immune response is a more specialized defense mechanism.

When a pathogen, such as a bacterium or virus, invades the body, it triggers the adaptive immune response. White blood cells called B lymphocytes (B cells) play a crucial role in this process. B cells carry specialized receptors on their surface that can recognize specific molecules found on the surface of pathogens, known as antigens.

When a B cell encounters a pathogen with matching antigens, it undergoes a process called activation. This results in the B cell differentiating into plasma cells, which are antibody-producing factories. Each plasma cell produces and releases numerous copies of a specific antibody molecule that can bind and neutralize the specific pathogen.

Antibodies are proteins that circulate in the bloodstream and other body fluids. They can recognize and bind to antigens on the surface of pathogens, marking them for destruction by other components of the immune system. This immune response enables the body to remember the pathogen, so if it is encountered again in the future, a more rapid and efficient response can occur.

In summary, the process by which white blood cells produce antibodies in response to pathogens is a crucial aspect of the adaptive immune response, leading to acquired immunity against specific pathogens.