Biotechnology

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Ancient Biotechnology

Practices from thousands of years ago

Humans got their food through hunting and gathering → Started raising own animals and growing their own crops

Agriculture

10000 years ago farming began in the Middle east (fertile crescent)

7000 year ago farming established in China

5000 years ago established in Mesoamerica (central/south)

Domestication of crops/animals and use living cells to make food products

Selective breeding (artificial selection)

Human manipulation of living organisms eg. selecti seeds from best crops

Ensured selected individuals had desirable characteristics - passed on

Hybrid Vigour - cross breeding resulted in stronger and healthier offsprings

Food surplus -> increase in population density -> change in biodiversity

Aboriginal people and aquaculture

6000 years ago - canal system (ocean to inland, connect swamps)

Eel traps - preserved (smoke in hollow trees), when food was scarce/trade

Food production: Bread and cheese making

10000 years ago - Evidence of using wild grains in Middle East

Change in grains; einkorn, grains at bottom now emmer, grains at top

Bread making

2000 BC - evidence of use of yeast in egyptian tombs

10000 years ago - wild yeast to dough

Yeast ferments sugars to produce co2, makes bread rise

Today the Saccharomyces cerevisiae used to ferment bread dough

Cheese Making

10000 years ago - action of bacteria on milk

People started to understand that enzymes could be added -> curds and why were produced

4000 BC - making of yoghurt

Chinese used Lactobacillus to ferment milk into a semi-liquid to extend the time milk can be stored for longer