Write short notes.
a. Biotechnology: Professional uses.
b. Importance of medicinal plants.
a. Biotechnology: Professional uses.
b. Importance of medicinal plants.
a. Biotechnology is the branch of biology that involves application of technology in utilising the living organisms or their parts to produce products useful for humans. There are various applications of biotechnology some of which are mentioned below:
(i) It is used in agriculture to produce improved varieties of plants and animal breeds, and to control pests and pathogens.
(ii) It is applied in food processing industries to produce additives.
(iii) It is applied to produce biocatalysts and biopolymers.
(iv) Many biotechnological processes are applied to control pollution and treat waste water.
(v) It is applied in the field of health care to produce several vaccines, drugs and hormones like insulin, etc.
b. Several plants have medicinal properties which can be used as medicines. Some of the plants grown for their medicinal value are:
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Cinchona − Quinine, a drug used in the treatment of malaria, is obtained from the bark of the Cinchona tree.
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Rauwolfia (Sarpagandha) − This plant is used for the treatment of hypertension and insomnia.
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Belladonna − Alkaloids obtained from the roots of this plant are used as pain relievers. It also stimulates respiration and circulation.
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Eucalyptus − The leaves of eucalyptus are used for extracting on oil which is used in the treatment of blocked nose and throat infections. It is also used as a mosquito repellent.
(i) It is used in agriculture to produce improved varieties of plants and animal breeds, and to control pests and pathogens.
(ii) It is applied in food processing industries to produce additives.
(iii) It is applied to produce biocatalysts and biopolymers.
(iv) Many biotechnological processes are applied to control pollution and treat waste water.
(v) It is applied in the field of health care to produce several vaccines, drugs and hormones like insulin, etc.
b. Several plants have medicinal properties which can be used as medicines. Some of the plants grown for their medicinal value are:
-
Cinchona − Quinine, a drug used in the treatment of malaria, is obtained from the bark of the Cinchona tree.
-
Rauwolfia (Sarpagandha) − This plant is used for the treatment of hypertension and insomnia.
-
Belladonna − Alkaloids obtained from the roots of this plant are used as pain relievers. It also stimulates respiration and circulation.
-
Eucalyptus − The leaves of eucalyptus are used for extracting on oil which is used in the treatment of blocked nose and throat infections. It is also used as a mosquito repellent.
