Biotechnology study guides

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on agricultural and industrial applications: how microorganisms ferment foods and drinks, how crops are genetically modified and the benefits and concerns of GM crops, how enzymes and biofuels are produced industrially and why they are used, and how microorganisms clean up waste and pollution through bioremediation. Links to every dot point.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on medical applications: how recombinant DNA technology makes medicines such as human insulin, how vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are produced and used, how biotechnology supports diagnosis and genetic screening, and the principles, potential and limitations of gene therapy and stem cells. Links to every dot point.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on bioethics and biosafety: the hazards in a biotechnology laboratory and the biosafety measures that control them, the main ethical issues biotechnology raises and how to weigh them, the role of regulation and the importance of informed consent, and the social and environmental impacts of the field. Links to every dot point.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on cells and microorganisms: the parts of plant, animal and bacterial cells and what they do, why bacteria, yeasts and fungi make ideal biological tools, how to use a light microscope and calculate magnification and actual size, the phases of microbial growth, and the aseptic technique that keeps cultures pure. Links to every dot point.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on DNA and genetic material: the double helix of nucleotides with complementary base pairing, how DNA replicates using template strands, how a gene codes for a protein through transcription and translation, the plasmids and vectors that carry genes into cells, and how to extract DNA in the laboratory. Links to every dot point.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on genetic engineering techniques: using restriction enzymes and DNA ligase to make recombinant DNA, transforming and cloning host cells, amplifying a sequence by the polymerase chain reaction, separating DNA fragments by gel electrophoresis, and reading sequences for DNA sequencing and genetic profiling. Links to every dot point.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology: what biotechnology actually is, how it grew from ancient fermentation into today's gene-based methods, how the industry is organised and what careers it offers, and the units used to describe the very small. Links to every dot point in the module.

A module overview for O-Level Biotechnology on core laboratory techniques: using a micropipette accurately and making up solutions to a required concentration, carrying out serial dilutions and using the dilution factor to find concentrations and cell counts, culturing bacteria on agar by streaking and spreading, and running a bioreactor for large-scale fermentation. Links to every dot point.