Biotechnology: Food

# Modifying Food for Our Needs

Delve into the world of biotechnology to discover how DNA can be modified to change the characteristics of food. Through immersion and observations, students can develop an understanding of genetically modified (GM) crops and how biotechnology is used to increase crop yield and shelf life of food.

## Key Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe that biotechnology can be used to increase food production
2. Describe biotechnology as the modification of an organism’s DNA to alter their characteristics
3. Explain why food is genetically modified

## How to Use This Playlist:

This playlist is designed to help students develop an understanding of biotechnology and genetically modified crops.

Here are some suggestions on how to use the resources:

***3D model*** – Analysing this tomato plant, students can observe that this fully grown, non-genetically modified plant does not have many tomatoes and that they are quite small.

- [Tomato Plant](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/3dm-tomato-plant)

***360 Video*** – Students can observe the various fruits and vegetables on the market stall and discuss the quality of the crop yield based on quantity and size of the products.

- Vegetable seller in Bangladesh

***3D models*** – Students can use these models to explore the structure of DNA and learn how specific sections can be altered to change the characteristics of a living thing.

- [DNA Helix Molecule](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/3dm-dna-helix-molecule)
- [DNA Simplified](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/3dm-dna-polymer)

***Biotechnology – GM Crops, Explorable scene*** – Students can shrink down to the size of an insect to explore the science behind GM crops. They will be able to observe a tomato’s DNA being modified to delay its ripening process and compare it to an unmodified plant.

- [Biotechnology – GM Crops](https://edvr.se/ZLe-IlE-QFi/genetically-modified-biotechnology)

***360 Image*** – Observing this image, students should identify how the various fruits and vegetables are uniform in size, aesthetically well-presented and have minimal issues and imperfections; all typical characteristics linked to GM crops.

- [Market Seller in Jordan](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/360p-market-in-jordan)