1. The Importance of Improved Genetics Topic #3031 By: Rick Sokol (some materials gathered from www.agednet.com) Topic #3031 By: Rick Sokol (some materials gathered from www.agednet.com)

2. Biotechnology In Agriscience New forms of plants and animals Improved plant and animal life processes Improved quality and kind of foods

3. Genetics Traits parents pass to their offspring. Variability: the difference between animals within the same species. Dominant Traits: always show up in the offspring. Recessive Traits: can be covered up by other traits. A dominant trait in cattle is polled cattle. Recessive is red cattle.

4. Double Helix Two strands of DNA, twisted, forming a spiral structure. Genetic Code: information allowing an organism to function. Mutations: changes in genes and chromosomes; can be genetic and physical. –Larger fruits

5. Genetic Engineering DNA of two different organisms may be combined. “Rung” structure allows for segments of DNA to be cut out and new ones inserted. E. coli bacteria are most often used as carriers of new DNA (vectors) into the cell.

6. Ways Genetic Engineering Benefits Herbicide, Insect, and Disease -Resistant Plants Transgenic Animals Frost Protection Longer Storage Life New Animal Products

7. Greater Fertility SUPEROVULATION –Inject cow with hormone gonadotropin –Cow releases 8-20 eggs during estrus instead of normally only releasing one egg EMBYRO TRANSFER –Flush embryos from dam seven days after fertilization –Place into another female recipient to carry to term

8. More Production Milk Hormones –Inject BST to cows –Increased milk production Meat Hormones –Use PST on hogs –Produce more muscle Growth Implants –Insert a small pellet under the skin of animals –Promotes growth

9. More Production cont. Ammoniating Hay –Treat low quality hay with ammonia –Increase protein content and digestibility Controlled Feeding –Cattle fitted with sensors –Allows the animal to eat its’ specific feed ration

10. Aquaculture SPAWNING –Inject female fish with gonadotropin –Induce spawning HATCHING –Regulate water movement, temperature and oxygen level –Artificially hatch eggs SEX CHANGES –Some species don’t grow well when males and females are left together; scientists developed a way of changing the sex of newly-hatched fry.

11. Marketing Strategies Food products are produced in different shapes and forms to encourage people to buy them. Miniature vegetables: baby corn and carrots The round carrot can be sold for a higher price; the nutritional value is the same.

12. Predicting the Future PLANT GROWTH CHAMBERS –Studies the effects of environmental changes on plants COMPUTER SIMULATIONS –Cropping models and erosion OTHER EXAMPLES –Using growth regulators –Forcing plants –Using wastes as feed

13. Issues Concerning The Public Regarding Biotechnology Uncertainty Dangers in new life forms Keep organisms “natural” Unhealthy food Labeling Ethics of joining plants and animals Lack of information