Biotechnology Vocabulary in English
20 essential biotechnology words with definitions and example sentences — labs, genetics, and bioengineering for B1–C1 ESL learners.
Biotechnology vocabulary is essential for anyone studying life sciences, working in a research laboratory, or building a career in genetics and bioengineering. These words appear in textbooks, lab protocols, and scientific papers, and they come up daily in conversations with colleagues, supervisors, and collaborators. For B1 to C1 learners, mastering this vocabulary helps you follow experiments accurately and communicate your results with confidence.
This page covers 20 key biotechnology words and phrases that you will meet in real situations — extracting DNA from a sample, growing a cell culture in a bioreactor, or reading the results of a sequencing run. Each term comes with a clear definition and a natural British example sentence so you can see exactly how it is used in context.
If you would like to broaden your scientific English, take a look at our related Science vocabulary, Medical Procedures vocabulary, and Agriculture vocabulary pages. Together, these lists give you the confidence to handle lab discussions, research papers, and technical presentations in English.
Word List
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| gene | a section of DNA that carries the instructions for a particular characteristic or protein | Scientists identified the gene responsible for the plant's resistance to drought. |
| DNA | the molecule that stores the genetic instructions of a living thing; short for deoxyribonucleic acid | The team extracted DNA from the blood sample for further analysis. |
| enzyme | a protein that speeds up a chemical reaction inside or outside a cell | The enzyme cuts the DNA strand at a specific point so it can be studied. |
| protein | a large molecule made of amino acids that carries out most of the work inside a cell | The modified bacteria produced a protein used in modern medicines. |
| cell culture | cells grown and kept alive in a controlled container in the laboratory | She prepared a cell culture so the team could test the new compound on living cells. |
| fermentation | a process in which microorganisms break down substances, often to make a useful product | Fermentation by yeast turns the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. |
| genome | the complete set of genetic material in an organism | Mapping the entire human genome took scientists more than a decade. |
| mutation | a change in the DNA sequence that can alter how a gene works | A single mutation made the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic. |
| vaccine | a substance given to train the immune system to fight a particular disease | The new vaccine was developed in record time using genetic engineering. |
| antibody | a protein made by the immune system to recognise and attack a specific threat | The blood test measures the level of antibody against the virus. |
| bioreactor | a tank or vessel where cells or microorganisms are grown under controlled conditions | The bacteria were grown in a large bioreactor to produce the medicine in bulk. |
| sequencing | the process of working out the exact order of the bases in a piece of DNA | DNA sequencing revealed several differences between the two samples. |
| cloning | making an exact genetic copy of a cell, gene, or whole organism | The cloning of the gene allowed the team to study it in much greater detail. |
| recombinant | made by combining DNA from more than one source | The factory produces recombinant insulin using genetically modified bacteria. |
| microorganism | a tiny living thing, such as a bacterium or yeast, that can only be seen under a microscope | The microorganism was used to break down the waste in the experiment. |
| assay | a laboratory test that measures the presence or amount of a substance | The assay showed that the drug reduced the activity of the enzyme. |
| plasmid | a small, circular piece of DNA in bacteria that can carry new genes into a cell | The new gene was inserted into a plasmid before being added to the bacteria. |
| sterilise | to make equipment or a surface completely free of living microorganisms | You must sterilise the instruments before starting any cell culture work. |
| incubate | to keep cells or cultures at a steady temperature so they can grow | The samples were left to incubate overnight at thirty-seven degrees. |
| biomarker | a measurable sign in the body that shows a particular condition or process | Doctors use the biomarker to check how well the treatment is working. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gene and a genome?
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.
What does DNA sequencing tell you?
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.
What is a bioreactor used for?
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.
What does recombinant mean in biotechnology?
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.
What is a plasmid and why is it important?
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.
What is the difference between an enzyme and a protein?
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.
What is fermentation in biotechnology?
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.
Why do you need to sterilise equipment in a lab?
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.
What is a biomarker and how is it used?
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.
What is the best way to learn biotechnology vocabulary?
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.