Science Class 12 - Biology In-Human-Welfare Notes

Biology in Human Welfare

Welcome to the chapter on Biology in Human Welfare for Class 12. In this chapter, you will learn how biology is used to improve human life, including health, agriculture, and the environment. By the end of this chapter, you will understand the applications of biology in medicine, food production, and disease control.

Introduction

Biology plays a vital role in making human life better. It helps us fight diseases, grow more food, and keep our environment clean. Let’s explore how biology contributes to human welfare.

Role of Biology in Health and Medicine

• Vaccines: Protect us from diseases like polio, measles, and COVID-19.
• Antibiotics: Medicines that kill harmful bacteria and cure infections.
• Genetic Engineering: Used to produce insulin, growth hormones, and other medicines.
• Gene Therapy: Treats genetic disorders by correcting faulty genes.
• Diagnostics: Techniques like PCR and ELISA help detect diseases early.

Biology in Agriculture

• Green Revolution: Use of high-yielding crop varieties and fertilizers to increase food production.
• Biofertilizers: Microorganisms that add nutrients to the soil and help plants grow.
• Biopesticides: Natural substances used to control pests without harming the environment.
• Genetically Modified Crops (GM Crops): Crops with improved traits like pest resistance and higher nutrition.
• Tissue Culture: Growing plants from small tissues in the lab to produce disease-free plants.

Biology in Disease Control

• Public Health: Vaccination, sanitation, and awareness programs reduce the spread of diseases.
• Vector Control: Controlling mosquitoes and other carriers to prevent diseases like malaria and dengue.
• Antimicrobial Agents: Used to kill or stop the growth of harmful microbes.

Biology and Environment

• Bioremediation: Using microbes to clean up oil spills and remove pollutants from soil and water.
• Waste Management: Using bacteria and fungi to decompose waste and recycle nutrients.
• Conservation: Protecting endangered species and maintaining biodiversity.

Practice Questions

1. What is the role of vaccines in human welfare?
2. How do genetically modified crops benefit farmers?
3. Explain the importance of bioremediation.
4. What are biofertilizers? Give two examples.
5. How does gene therapy help in treating diseases?

Challenge Yourself

• Research a recent example of gene therapy or a GM crop and write a short note on its impact.
• List three ways biology helps in environmental conservation.

Did You Know?

• Golden rice is a genetically modified crop rich in vitamin A, helping to prevent blindness.
• Penicillin, the first antibiotic, was discovered from a fungus!

Glossary

• Vaccine: A substance that helps the body fight diseases.
• Biofertilizer: Living organisms that help plants grow by increasing soil nutrients.
• Bioremediation: Using living things to clean up pollution.
• Gene Therapy: Treating diseases by changing genes inside the body’s cells.

Answers to Practice Questions

1. Vaccines protect people from infectious diseases by helping the body build immunity.
2. GM crops can resist pests, grow faster, and give higher yields, helping farmers produce more food.
3. Bioremediation uses living organisms to remove harmful substances from the environment, making it cleaner and safer.
4. Biofertilizers are microorganisms that add nutrients to the soil. Examples: Rhizobium, Azotobacter.
5. Gene therapy replaces or repairs faulty genes to treat genetic diseases.

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Biology improves our lives every day—keep exploring its wonders!