8

BIOTECHNOLOGY
Guided Learning Activity Kit
Traditional And Modern
Biotechnology
Quarter 2- Week 1

1|P age
Biotechnology – Grade 8
Guided Learning Activity Kit
Traditional and Modern Biotechnology
Quarter 2 - Week 1

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or
office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.
Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of
royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Guided Learning Activity Sheet Development Team

Writer: Pamie F. Malana MASE
Editor: Maricel P. Devera
Reviewer: Nena F. Domil
Graphic Artists: Agape Cherry E. Echon
Marc Joel P. Reyes

Management Team: Leonardo D. Zapanta EdD, CESO V

Michelle Ablian-Mejica EdD
Manolito B. Basilio EdD
Evelyn D. Tarrayo EdD
Garry M. Achacoso
Rachelle C. Diviva

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education

Region III
Schools Division of Zambales
Zone 6, Iba, Zambales
Tel./Fax No. (047) 602 1391
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Website: www.depedzambales.ph
TRADITIONAL AND MODERN
BIOTECHNOLOGY

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how your favorite bread, cheese, yogurt, and
butter were made? Have you seen the label “lactose-free” or “partially
produced with genetic engineering” on the packages of many products
nowadays? Have you ever listened to or watched news reports about cloned
animals or the use of stem cells in treating diseases? All of these products and
processes involve biotechnology. In fact, so many products have been made
possible because of the advancement in the said field.

In this learning material, you are going to learn about the difference
between traditional and modern biotechnology. Understanding this concept is
an important step that you can use in evaluating the benefits and potential of
a particular product and can help you to make an informed decision.

Learning Competency

Differentiate traditional biotechnology from modern biotechnology.

Objectives

At the end of this guided learning activity kit, you are expected to:

1. define biotechnology;
2. compare and contrast traditional from modern biotechnology
3. classify products or processes as traditional or modern biotechnology;
and
4. create an infographic poster that shows the comparison and application
of traditional and modern biotechnology.

1|P age
 Review

Before you start, think about what you already know about the
science called Biotechnology. Write at least one word or phrase for each letter
that describes or relates to Biotechnology.

= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________
= _______________________________________________________________

Discussion

Biotechnology is the use of an organism, or a component of an

organism or other biological system, to make or modify a product, to improve
plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for a specific use.

A. Traditional Biotechnology

Traditional biotechnology refers to a range of ancient techniques of

using living organisms to make new products or modify existing ones.

2|P age
 The domestication of plants and animals is the earliest example of
biotechnology. It started when our ancestors began keeping plants and animals as
a dependable source of food over 10, 000 years ago.

Our ancestors learned to domesticate plants such as rice, barley, and wheat.
Wild animals were tamed to become their source of milk, meat and to assist them
with furrowing or guarding their farms. Among the primary animals that were
domesticated are dogs, sheep, and goats.

Examples of Traditional Biotechnology

Our early ancestors utilized microorganisms to make cheese, yogurt, and

bread. They also made alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine. These foods and
drinks are examples of products made by fermentation.

3|P age
 Microorganisms such as yeast, molds, and bacteria convert sugars into energy
through a process called fermentation. The products made from fermentation affect
the nature of the food. For example, the products of cellular activities during
fermentation may produce carbon dioxide that causes bread to rise, lactic acid that
makes yogurt sour, and alcohol that is responsible for the formation of beer and
wine.

Some traditional medications also utilized life forms or parts of it. For
instance, the ancient Egyptians utilized honey for respiratory infections and as a
treatment for wounds. Honey contains a natural antibiotic that has the ability to kill
the germs in wounds.

By almost 600BC, the Chinese were utilizing moldy soybean curds to treat
boils. Similarly, Ukrainian farmworkers were using moldy cheese to treat infected
wounds. The molds contain natural antibiotics that can kill bacteria and prevent the
spread of infection.

Despite these natural treatments, it was not until 1928 when the British
scientist named Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered and extracted penicillin, the
first antibiotic from a mold. A mold is a type of fungus. It is usually black, blue, or
green and gets its nutrients by absorbing them from other organisms.

Early farmers and shepherds also realized that plants and animals passed on
some sort of information to their offspring that made the offspring resemble their
parents. Thus, the pioneers of selective breeding mated organisms with
desirable characteristics to improve and pass these on to their offsprings. Although
these people were unaware, what these organisms were passing on to their offsprings
was their genes which are the instructions for all traits. In that case, they were
already manipulating the genetic makeup of organisms, without even realizing it.

Corn is one of the examples of a plant that has been improved by the process
of selective breeding to become a better source of food. Early teosinte plants had
small cobs with few kernels, but after years of selective breeding process, the corn
cobs were estimated to be more than five times bigger than the original size and filled
with sweet, juicy kernels.

Dog breeds are another example of selective breeding. This process resulted
in more than 100 breeds of dog. Dogs were bred for specific jobs and to enhance
their physical traits such as size, shape, and color.

4|P age
B. Modern Biotechnology

Instead of working with whole organisms, scientists started to work at the

molecular level of cells for research and development of products from plants and
animals, and this leads to the beginning of the so-called modern biotechnology.

Modern biotechnology refers to a range of techniques and methods that

involve the deliberate manipulation of genes, cells, and living tissues in a controlled
and predictable manner to generate changes in the produce new tissue genetic
make-up of an organism. Recombinant DNA techniques (r DNA or genetic
engineering), tissue culture, and mutagenesis are some of its techniques.

Recombinant DNA techniques allow scientists to cut DNA from one organism
and paste it into another. The target piece of DNA can then be attached into a
plasmid, a circular piece of DNA used as a vector to move the target piece of DNA
from one organism to another which results in a transgenic organism. A transgenic
organism is one that has foreign DNA that expresses a new trait or enhanced
characteristic.

There are many products that the modern biotechnology field has produced.
The following are some of the examples of modern biotechnology.

Golden rice is genetically modified to

produce beta carotene that is not normally
present in rice. Beta carotene when consumed
by a human body can be converted into
Vitamin A.

Flavr Savr Tomato is genetically modified

to deactivate its gene responsible for the
production of polygalacturonase (PG), which is
an enzyme involved in fruit softening. This
transgenic tomato when left to ripen on the vine
will still have a long shelf life. This condition will
allow them to develop their full flavor.

5|P age
 BT corn is a transgenic crop. A gene from Bacillus
thuringiensis that produces the crystal toxic protein has
been artificially added to the DNA of corn making it a pest-
resistant crop.

Frost-resistant strawberries are genetically

modified fruit. A special gene, taken from a fish called
the Arctic Flounder was added into the genome code of
a strawberry plant. This special gene creates an
"antifreeze" protein, making the strawberry plant
resistant to low temperatures.

Humulin (Human insulin) is produced in a bacterium by introducing the

human insulin gene. It is generated by recombinant DNA technology that utilizes a
non-pathogenic laboratory strain of Escherichia coli. Humulin was developed by
Genentech in 1982 and considered the first biotech drug to be FDA approved.

Gene therapy is an emerging technique used to treat

genetic disorders that are caused by a non-functional gene.
It works and functions by delivering the “missing” gene’s
DNA to the cells of the body.

Stem cell technologies include immature cells that

have the potential to develop and specialize in a variety of
other cell types.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is one of the first

genetically engineered products that was sold. It is a blood clot-dissolving enzyme
used immediately to clear blocked vessels after a heart attack or stroke.

Dolly, a sheep, became the first cloned animal that was created by the somatic
cell nuclear transfer process. Dolly was cloned from a cell of a six-year-old ewe. Dolly
was born on July 5, 1996, and died last February 14, 2003.

Gene knockout is a process where an active gene is replaced with DNA that
has no functional information. Through this, it may be possible to determine how
the gene’s function affects the organism. Knock–out experiments are being used by
Knock Outs Basic research in biotech, which is very helpful for learning about the
function of a gene.

6|P age
 DNA fingerprinting is a classic example of a forensic application of
biotechnology. It is commonly used for law enforcement and crime scene
investigation (CSI). Moreover, DNA fingerprinting is also applied in identifying
human remains, paternity tests, endangered species (reduces poaching), and
epidemiology (spread of disease).

Aquaculture is a common aquatic

application of biotechnology of raising finfish
or shellfish in controlled conditions for food
sources. Some of its products are transgenic
salmon (increased growth rates), disease-
resistant oysters, and vaccines against viruses
that infect aquatic species.

Bio-stone washing is an alternative method of stone washes by the use of

cellulose enzyme which gives denim a faded look. Neutral cellulase has a special
feature that gives a stonewashed look with less indigo redeposition during the
treatment. Hence, jeans and other denim garments have a higher difference between
white and blue yarns. This method reduces the use of pumice stones that result in
less damage to the garment, to the machine, and the environment.

Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to process or degrade a variety

of natural and manmade products, especially those contributing to pollution. The
first U.S. GMO patent was granted to a scientist for a strain of bacteria capable of
degrading components in crude oil in the year 1970s. In 1989, a particular species
of Pseudomonas was used to clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. The
process was said to be three times faster without an increase in environmental
effects.

Better efficiency for growth, better yield, tastiness, improved appearance,

resistance to disease, and ease of growing are some of the goals of modern
biotechnology which are similar to the goals of traditional biotechnology.

Biotechnology plays important roles in our everyday life. It can be utilized to

create drugs and therapeutics, nutritional compounds, biofuel, and earth-friendly
chemicals and materials. The said field can also be used to solve medical,
agricultural, industrial, and environmental problems. But, just like other developing
technologies, we cannot predict the risks with biotechnology. Therefore, we must
make continued efforts in research as there are still many unknowns about living
organisms. A better understanding of living organisms will be a great help to develop
better biotechnological applications.

7|P age
 Activities

Guided Practice 1
Directions: Classify the following example of traditional or modern
Biotechnology. Write the name of the product to its corresponding column.

A. Beer and wine F. Bread

B. Bio-stone washing G. Stem Cells

C. Dolly the sheep H. Yogurt

D. Cheese I. Transgenic salmon

E. Knock-out technique J. Disease-resistant oysters

Traditional Biotechnology Modern Biotechnology

8|P age
Guided Practice 2
Directions: Compare and contrast traditional and modern Biotechnology using a
Venn diagram. Give at least four (4) differences between traditional and modern
biotechnology and at least two (2) similarities.

Modern
Traditional
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology

9|P age
Independent Practice
Directions: Create an infographic poster that shows the comparison between
traditional and modern biotechnology. Use the given rubric below as your guide in
making your own infographic poster.

Include the following information:

• definition of biotechnology;

• differentiation of traditional and modern biotechnology; and

• application and importance of traditional and modern biotechnology.

Sample template for the Comparison Infographic Poster

Topic/Illustration/description

Sub-topic/
Sub-topic/ illustration/description
illustration/description

Illustration/
Illustration/
Description
Description

Illustration/ Illustration/
Description Description

Illustration/ Illustration/
Description Description

Additional information/explanation

10 | P a g e
Note: You will be graded based on the given infographic poster rubric.

Infographic Poster Rubric

Criteria 5 Points 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points

Content The The The infographic The

infographic infographic poster misses infographic
poster poster some of the poster misses
includes all of includes the required several pieces
the required required information as of the required
information as information outlined in the information as
outstandingly as outlined directions. outlined in the
outlined in in the directions.
the directions. directions.

Overall The The The infographic The

Appearance infographic infographic poster displays infographic
poster poster an inappropriate poster displays
displays an displays a use of color, little attempt
outstanding suitable use design, and to use color,
use of color, of color, space. design, and
design, and design, and space
space. space. The design lacks appropriately.
creativity.
It has an The design Lack of pleasant The design is
original and is adequate. design. dull.
creative The design Output has an
design. is mostly untidy
The design is attractive appearance.
attractive and and
pleasant. pleasant.

Mechanics Free of Mostly free Frequent Too frequent

grammatical of grammatical grammatical
errors. grammatical errors. errors.
errors.
Uses words The Contains
that are clear Most of the presentation is distractive
and relevant words are not clear and elements that
to the topic. clear and confusing. make the
relevant to output
the topic. ineffective.

Total Score

11 | P a g e
 Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the letter of your choice
on your paper.

1. Biotechnology means using or changing ______ to improve our lives.

a. the environment b. living things c. people d. technology

2. It refers to a number of ancient ways of using living organisms to make

new products or modify existing ones.
a. fermentation
b. selective breeding
c. traditional biotechnology
b. modern biotechnology

3. It refers to a number of techniques that involve the intentional manipulation of

genes, cells, and living tissue.
a. traditional biotechnology
b. ancient biotechnology
c. modern biotechnology
d. genetic engineering

4. Which statement best describes traditional biotechnology?

a. Creates more precise tools for disease detection.
b. Using biotech crops that are pest resistant and allow farmers to
reduce tilling farmland.
c. Developing crops with enhanced nutrition profiles that solve
vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.
d. It involves techniques that use living organisms to produce or
modify products without altering their genetic makeup.

5. Which statement is not a description of modern biotechnology?

a. It involves the natural use of organisms to produce or modify products.
b. It interferes with the natural reproduction of organisms.
c. Some of its examples are DNA cloning, tissue engineering and
genome analysis.
d. It involves the manipulation of genetic materials and tissues of living
organisms.

12 | P a g e
Directions: For numbers 6 to 10, write TB if the given statement describes a process
or a product of traditional biotechnology and MB if it describes a process or a product
of modern biotechnology.

__________ 6. Selective breeding practice involves choosing the animals with

the most desirable characteristics to breed with each other so
that the resulting offspring would also express these traits.

__________ 7.BioSteel is a trademark name for a high-strength fiber-based

material made of the recombinant spider silk-like protein
extracted from the milk of transgenic goats.

__________ 8. Biogas is a mixture of gases that can be produced by the

breakdown of organic matter without the presence of oxygen,
basically, it may contain methane and carbon dioxide.

____________9. Zopf is a bread made from white flour, milk, eggs, butter and
yeast.

___________ 10. Microorganisms are used by the industry to produce

different products such as enzymes for use in laundry
detergents.

13 | P a g e
 Reflection

Directions: Fill in each box with descriptions of traditional or modern

biotechnology while filling in each circle with its products.

Traditional
Biotechnology

Modern
Biotechnology

14 | P a g e
 References

"Application of Biotechnology On Denims". 2020. Fibre2fashion.Com.

https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7578/application-of-
biotechnology-on-denims.

"Ancient Biotechnology". 2020. Science Learning Hub.

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1204-ancient biotechnology.

"Biotechnology | Biology Library | Science | Khan Academy". 2020. Khan

Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/biotech-dna-
technology.

"Biotechnology: What It Is and How It's About to Change Our Lives". 2020. World
Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/12/what-is-
biotechnology-how-will-it-change-our-lives/.

"Difference Between Old Biotechnology and Modern Biotechnology". 2020. Biology

Discussion. https://www.biologydiscussion.com/biotechnology/difference-
between-old-biotechnology-and-modern-biotechnology/15661.

"~Frost-Resistant Strawberries~". 2020. Prezi.Com.

https://prezi.com/jmpf9o_bt2my/frost-resistant-strawberries.

"Genetically Modified Organisms: The “Golden Rice” Debate | High School

Bioethics". 2020. Med.Nyu.Edu.
https://med.nyu.edu/highschoolbioethics/genetically-modified-organisms-
%E2%80%9Cgolden-rice%E2%80%9D-debate.

"Intro to Biotechnology (Article) | Khan Academy". 2020. Khan Academy.

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/biotech-dna-
technology/intro-to-biotech-tutorial/a/intro-to-biotechnology.
"Modern Biotechnology". 2020. Science Learning Hub.
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1206-modern-biotechnology.

recombinant), Generic, and Brand N. 2020. "Humulin N (Insulin (Human

Recombinant)): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning". Rxlist.
https://www.rxlist.com/humulin-n-drug.htm.

"What Is Bt Corn? / Biochemical Explaination of Bt Corn".

2020. Whatisbtcorn.Pbworks.Com.
http://whatisbtcorn.pbworks.com/w/page/12449526/Biochemical%20Expl
aination%20of%20Bt%20Corn.

15 | P a g e
 16 | P a g e
Review Assessment
Answers may vary. 1.b
2.c
Guided Practice 1. 3.c
Traditional Modern Biotechnology 4.d
Biotechnology 5.a
6.TB
Beer and wine Bio-stone washing 7.MB
cheese Dolly the sheep 8.TB
bread Knock-out 9.TB
yogurt Stem cells 10.MB
Transgenic salmon
Disease resistant oysters Reflection
1-10. Answers may vary.
Guided Practice 2
1-10. Answers may vary.
Independent Practice
Please refer to the Infographic poster rubric.
Key to Corrections
 Acknowledgement

The Schools Division of Zambales would like to express its heartfelt gratitude
to the following, who in one way or the other, have contributed to the successful
preparation, development, quality assurance, printing, and distribution of the
Quarter 2 Guided Learning Activity Kits (GLAKs) in all learning areas across grade
levels as a response to providing the learners with developmentally-appropriate,
contextualized and simplified learning resources with most essential learning
competencies (MELCs)-based activities anchored on the principles of guided learning
and explicit instruction:
First, the Learning Resources (LR) Development Team composed of the writers
and graphic artists for devoting much of their time and exhausting their best efforts
to produce these indispensable learning kits used for the implementation of learning
delivery modalities.
Second, the content editors, language reviewers, and layout evaluators
making up the Division Quality Assurance Team (DQAT) for having carefully
evaluated all GLAKs to ensure quality and compliance to DepEd standards;
Third, the Provincial Government of Zambales, for unceasingly extending its
financial assistance to augment the funds for the printing of these learning resources
for use by learners and parents at home;
Fourth, the teacher-advisers and subject teachers, in close coordination with
the school heads, for their weekly distribution and retrieval of the GLAKs and for
their frequent monitoring of the learners’ progress through various means; and
Finally, the parents and other home learning facilitators for giving the learners
the needed guidance and support for them to possibly accomplish the tasks and for
gradually helping them become independent learners.
To deliver learning continuity in this challenging circumstance would not be
possible without your collective effort and strong commitment to serving our
Zambaleño learners.
Again, our sincerest thanks!

The Management Team

 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region III - Schools Division of Zambales

Learning Resources Management Section (LRMS)
Zone 6, Iba, Zambales
Tel./Fax No. (047) 602 1391