BIOLOGY AND THE SERVICE OF MANKIND

BIOLOGY AND THE SERVICE OF MANKIND

Biology helps mankind in many ways. It helps us in increasing the food production, controlling the diseases and protecting our environment. Therefore, it has improved the standard of the living.

FOOD PRODUCTION

Following methods have increased food production:

1.  Improving varieties

The scientists use the principles of the genetics. It has improved the existing varieties of the crops and livestock like wheat, rice, corn chicken and sheep. The poultry breeders have developed broiler. These broilers give quick and cheap white meat. Following techniques have been used to improve the varieties of the crops:

• Genetic engineering: The manipulation of genes is called genetic engineering. It can produce transgenic plants. The plants having foreign DNA in their cells are called transgenic plants.

• Cloning: The production of the genetically identical copies of the organisms or cells by asexual reproduction is called cloning. Transgenic plants can be reproduced by cloning.    

• Tissue culture: Reproduction by growing tissues of plants is called tissue culture.

2.  Controlling plant pathogens and pests

      Plant pathogens are like fungi, insects and pest. They weaken the plants. It decreases the yield of the cross. They are controlled by following methods:

(i) Chemical control:  These pests are controlled by insecticides, pesticides and fungicides. There are two disadvantages of insecticides and pesticides: These pesticides are toxic. So they increase pollution in the environment. The pests become resistant to pesticides.

(ii) Biological control:   Control of pests by some living organism is called biological control. Some living organisms compete or eat the pests. So these organisms destroy these pests, e.g an aphid attacks on walnut tree. A wasp eats this aphid and controls its population.

(iii) Bio-pesticides:  Some bacteria are used as bio-pesticides. They kill the pests.

(iv) Integrated Disease Management Technique (IDM):  The use of all relevant and appropriate methods to control the pests is called IDM.

3. Conservation of soil 

Soil is a complex medium. It needs certain nutrients in fix quantity. Hydroponics culture technique is used to determine the nutritional requirements of the plants.  The technique in which plants are grown in aerated water is called hydroponics culture technique. Nutrient minerals are added to this water. Hydroponics farming has not yet possible.  Astronauts may use it for growing vegetables in the space.

4. Food Preservations

Different techniques are used for preserving food.  These techniques prevent the spoilage of food.  This preserved food can be transported for long distance and its quality is not damaged.  One technique is Pasteurization. It was developed by Louis Pasteur. The technique in which heat is used to kill the non-spore forming bacteria is called pasteurization. It is used for the preservation of milk and milk products.