Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
ANP201Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Biotechnology

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and applied aspects of animal biotechnology. It covers animal molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, the production of transgenic animals, and reproductive biotechnology. Students will explore biotechnology's role in animal breeding and address ethical considerations. The course aims to provide a scientific and technical understanding of animal biotechnology, its commercial applications, and its potential impact on livestock production in developing countries.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

65h
Study Time
13
Weeks
5h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Animal BiotechnologyRecombinant DNATransgenic AnimalsReproductive BiotechnologyMolecular Biology

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

History of Biotechnology

2

Mendelian Genetics

3

Nucleic Acids

4

DNA Replication

5

Transcription and Translation

6

Recombinant DNA Technology

7

Animal Health and Disease Diagnosis

8

Animal Nutrition

9

Biosafety Issues

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Animal Biotechnologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Genetic Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Veterinary Technician

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

PharmaceuticalsAgricultureVeterinary MedicineResearch and DevelopmentFood Production

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: History, definitions and concepts in biotechnology

5h

Unit 1.1: History and the foundations of modern biotechnology

3 study hours
  • •Read about the history of biotechnology, focusing on zymotechnology and fermentation.
  • •Understand the definitions of biotechnology from various sources.
  • •Identify key figures like Louis Pasteur and Alexander Fleming and their contributions.

Unit 1.2: Scope of Animal Biotechnology

2 study hours
  • •Explore the scope of animal biotechnology, including tissue culture and recombinant DNA technology.
  • •Understand the applications of biotechnology in improving livestock.
  • •Review Figure 1 to summarize key areas of application.
Week
2

Module 1: History, definitions and concepts in biotechnology

5h

Unit 1.3 Mendelian Genetics

3 study hours
  • •Study Mendelian genetics, including alleles, homozygotes, heterozygotes, and genotypes.
  • •Understand Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment.
  • •Practice Punnett square problems to predict genetic ratios.

Unit 1.4: Nucleic Acids

2 study hours
  • •Learn about the structure and function of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
  • •Understand the roles of nucleotides, pyrimidines, and purines.
  • •Study the double helix structure of DNA and the base pairing rules.
Week
3

Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

5h

Unit 2.1 Gene the basis of Inheritance

3 study hours
  • •Understand the chemical nature of genes and their role in inheritance.
  • •Learn about alleles, homozygous, and heterozygous conditions.
  • •Study the organization of genes within chromosomes.

Unit 2.2 DNA replication

2 study hours
  • •Study the process of DNA replication, including the roles of enzymes like DNA polymerase and ligase.
  • •Understand the concept of semi-conservative replication.
  • •Learn about the leading and lagging strands and Okazaki fragments.
Week
4

Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

5h

Unit 2. 2.3 Transcription

3 study hours
  • •Learn about transcription, including the roles of mRNA, sense strand, and anti-sense strand.
  • •Understand the process of RNA splicing and the roles of exons and introns.
  • •Study the central dogma of molecular biology.

Unit 2.2.4 The genetic code

2 study hours
  • •Study the genetic code, including codons and their corresponding amino acids.
  • •Understand the roles of mRNA and tRNA in translation.
  • •Learn about start and stop codons.
Week
5

Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

5h

Unit 2.2.5 Translation

3 study hours
  • •Understand the process of translation and protein synthesis.
  • •Learn about the roles of ribosomes and transfer RNA (tRNA).
  • •Study post-translational modifications of proteins.

Unit 2.3 Regulation of gene expression

2 study hours
  • •Study the regulation of gene expression.
  • •Understand how genes control the synthesis of enzymes and structural proteins.
  • •Learn about the different types of genes and their functions.
Week
6

Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

5h

Unit 2.4 DNA Errors and repairs

3 study hours
  • •Learn about DNA errors and repair mechanisms.
  • •Understand the causes of DNA damage, including chemical mutagens and radiation.
  • •Study the strand-directed mismatch repair system.

Unit 2.5 Mutation: Types, causes and effects

2 study hours
  • •Study the different types of mutations, including hereditary and acquired mutations.
  • •Understand the causes and effects of mutations on phenotype.
  • •Learn about the role of mutations in evolution.
Week
7

Module 2: The Chemical Nature of Genes

5h

Unit 2.6. Laboratory Exercise on extraction of DNA and RNA from Animal Tissues

5 study hours
  • •Review the steps involved in DNA extraction from animal tissues.
  • •Understand the purpose of lysis, precipitation, washing, and resuspension.
  • •Learn how to check the quality of extracted DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis.
Week
8

Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

5h

Unit 3.1.1 Recombinant DNA Defined

5 study hours
  • •Define recombinant DNA (rDNA) and understand its function.
  • •Learn how rDNA works, including the role of expression factors.
  • •Understand the importance of rDNA in various fields like agriculture and medicine.
Week
9

Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

5h

Unit 3.2 Recombination and Cloning of Genes

5 study hours
  • •Study restriction endonucleases and their role in cutting DNA at specific sites.
  • •Understand the process of gene cloning and its applications.
  • •Learn about the ethical considerations of recombinant DNA technology.
Week
10

Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

5h

Unit 3.3 Transforming E. coli

5 study hours
  • •Learn about plasmids and their role as vectors in gene cloning.
  • •Understand the process of transforming E. coli with recombinant DNA.
  • •Study examples of recombinant DNA products used in human therapy.
Week
11

Module 3: Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology

5h

Unit 3.4. Molecular tools and techniques

5 study hours
  • •Study the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and its applications.
  • •Understand the process of gel electrophoresis and its use in separating DNA fragments.
  • •Learn about restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA probes.
Week
12

Module 4: Biotechnology Applications in Animal Agriculture

5h

Unit 4.1 Reproductive physiology

5 study hours
  • •Explore the applications of biotechnology in reproductive physiology, including artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET).
  • •Understand the benefits and limitations of these techniques.
  • •Learn about transgenic animals and their potential in livestock improvement.
Week
13

Module 4: Biotechnology Applications in Animal Agriculture

5h

Unit 4.3 Animal health

3 study hours
  • •Study the applications of biotechnology in animal health, including disease diagnosis and vaccine development.
  • •Understand the use of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA technologies.
  • •Learn about the physiology of lactation and growth and the role of recombinant bovine somatotropin (BST).

Unit 4.5 Animal nutrition

2 study hours
  • •Explore the applications of biotechnology in animal nutrition, including improving digestibility of low-quality forages and removing anti-nutritive factors from feeds.
  • •Understand the role of transgenic rumen microbes in improving rumen function.
  • •Review the environmental concerns and biosafety issues related to animal biotechnology.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking key processes like DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

2

Practice solving genetics problems involving Punnett squares and Mendelian inheritance.

3

Review the different types of mutations and their potential effects on gene expression.

4

Focus on understanding the mechanisms of recombinant DNA technology and its applications.

5

Study the various diagnostic techniques used in animal health and their underlying principles.

Related Courses

Other courses in Agricultural Sciences that complement your learning

HCM238

Introduction To Food & Beverage Production Ii

2 Units
HCM244

Tourists Sites: Products And Operations Ii

Units
AGR206

Crop Anatomy, Taxonomy and Physiology

2 Units
View All Agricultural Sciences Courses