Briefly explain biotechnology and list down its application areas
Biotechnology is a branch of science that uses living organisms or their components to develop useful products and processes for various fields like medicine, agriculture, food science, and environmental science.
The application areas of biotechnology are:
1. Medicine and Healthcare - Biotechnology is used to develop drugs and therapies for various diseases, genetic engineering, gene therapy, and vaccine development.
2. Agriculture - Biotechnology is used to improve crop yields, increase resistance to pests and diseases, improve the nutritional value of crops, and produce biofuels.
3. Food Science - Biotechnology is used to develop genetically modified organisms (GMOs), produce enzymes for fermentations and flavorings, and develop sustainable food production methods.
4. Environmental Science - Biotechnology is used to clean up polluted environments, reduce waste, and develop renewable energy sources.
5. Industrial Biotechnology - Biotechnology is used to produce chemicals, materials, and fuels more efficiently and sustainably.