Biotechnology Vocabulary in English

A gene is a single section of DNA that carries the instructions for one characteristic or one protein. A genome, by contrast, is the complete set of genetic material in an organism, so it contains all of that organism's genes together. You can think of a gene as one entry in a recipe book and the genome as the whole book. Biotechnologists study individual genes to understand how a trait works, and they study the genome to understand the organism as a whole.

Sequencing is the process of working out the exact order of the bases in a piece of DNA. This order is like a code, and reading it tells scientists which genes are present and whether any have changed. Sequencing is used to spot a mutation, to compare two organisms, or to identify an unknown microorganism. Modern machines can sequence a whole genome in a matter of hours, which has transformed research in medicine, genetics, and agriculture.

A bioreactor is a tank or vessel where cells or microorganisms are grown under carefully controlled conditions. The temperature, oxygen, and food supply are all kept steady so the cells can grow and produce something useful. Many medicines, such as recombinant insulin, are made by growing modified bacteria in a large bioreactor. Without this kind of controlled equipment, it would be very hard to produce biological products on an industrial scale.

Recombinant describes something made by combining DNA from more than one source. Scientists often insert a useful gene from one organism into the DNA of another, usually a bacterium, so that the new host produces a desired protein. This is how factories make recombinant insulin and many other medicines. The technique allows researchers to harness the natural machinery of a cell to manufacture products that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

A plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria, separate from the main chromosome. It is important because scientists can insert a new gene into a plasmid and then place that plasmid into a bacterium. The bacterium then copies the plasmid and follows its instructions, producing the protein the gene codes for. Plasmids are one of the most common tools in genetic engineering because they are easy to copy and to move between cells.

A protein is a large molecule made of amino acids that carries out most of the work inside a cell. An enzyme is a special kind of protein whose job is to speed up a chemical reaction. So every enzyme is a protein, but not every protein is an enzyme. In biotechnology, enzymes are extremely useful because they can cut, join, or copy DNA with great precision, which makes many laboratory techniques possible.

Fermentation is a process in which microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, break down substances to make a useful product. In a brewery, yeast ferments sugar into alcohol, while in a factory, bacteria might ferment a feedstock to produce a medicine or a food additive. The process usually takes place in a bioreactor so that conditions can be controlled. Fermentation is one of the oldest forms of biotechnology and is still central to many modern industries.

To sterilise equipment means to make it completely free of living microorganisms. This step is vital because even a single stray bacterium or fungus can ruin a cell culture or spoil an experiment. Lab workers sterilise glassware, instruments, and growth media using heat, chemicals, or filters before they begin. Careful sterilisation keeps results reliable and protects both the experiment and the people working in the laboratory.

A biomarker is a measurable sign in the body that shows a particular condition or process. It might be a protein, a gene, or another substance that doctors can detect with a test or assay. Biomarkers are used to diagnose disease, to predict how an illness might develop, and to check whether a treatment is working. In modern medicine, finding reliable biomarkers is an important goal because they allow earlier and more accurate decisions about care.

The most effective way is to connect each word to a real task in the lab. When you extract DNA, say the words for each step; when you set up a cell culture, notice the terms for the equipment and conditions. Read short sections of scientific papers and underline the vocabulary you recognise. Practise the 20 words on this page with Flash Cards on LexFizz, then test yourself with the Quiz. Linking the words to hands-on work helps them stick far faster than memorising a list.