Web Quest 5

Home | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Extension | Teacher Notes

Introduction
BioTechnology is the application of biological and chemical research to improve agriculture and human health.  Through the discovery of DNA, scientist are able to advance rapidly in genetic engineering to introduce genes into an organism to vary one or a few traits.

Top of Page

Task
You are a student in search of a career in the biological field.  Why?  Because the jobs pay very well.  In order to select an occupation, you must first understand DNA and the process. 

Top of Page

Process
Research the Science of BioTechnology.

    - What does DNA stand for?
    - Where is DNA found?
    - How long is a DNA strand?
    - What is RNA?
    - What are the advantages of BioTechnology research?
    - What are the disadvantages of BioTechnology research?
    - How has BioTechnology  improved agriculture?
    - How has BioTechnology  improved human health?
    - What are the ethical issues of DNA?
    - What is the GNOME Project?
    - What are the social and political issues of DNA?

Top of Page

Resources
Careers in BioTechnology Research:

• SciTech

• Biotech Genetics

• Molecular Biology

• AgriScience

• Organic Chemistry

• Medical Physics

• Computer Statistics

Careers in BioTechnology Management:

• Biomedical Electronics

• Administration Marketing Tech

• Medical Illustration

• Forensics

• Health Science

• Medical Transcription

BioTechnology is a rapidly growing field in technology.  Here are several web sites which will help your research:

DNA Learning Center
DNA from the Beginning

RNA
IMB Jena Biocomputing Group: The RNA World Website

Advantages of Biotechnology
Council for Biotechnology Information

GENOME
Human Genome Project Information

Top of Page

Evaluation
Create a presentation for the following criteria:

• Describe DNA and RNA.

• Describe where DNA comes from.

• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of BioTechnology.

• Select a career in BioTechnology.

Top of Page

Conclusion
Through DNA research we may solve world hunger and health problems.  This will depend on social and political issues of the world. 

Extension
Biotechnology will change our world drastically in the future.  Careers will change and new opportunities will enter.  Remaining with current technology will enable one to pursue these fields of study.

Top of Page

Teacher Notes
Supports Arizona State Standards

• Technology communication tools - - (use online information for research and academic publishing activities).
• Technology research tools - - (select/apply technology for information analysis, problem solving and decision making in content learning).
• Technology information and electronic sources - - (Create citations, gather research, obtain permission, identify components, identify the author).
• Technology problem solving and decision making tools - - (collect data, interpret data, develop a solution to the problem, present findings).

Top of Page