Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What is biotechnology primarily concerned with?

1. The development of urban infrastructure

2. The application of scientific techniques to modify and improve biological entities

3. Environmental conservation practices

4. Manufacturing of new chemical products

The correct answer is: The application of scientific techniques to modify and improve biological entities

Biotechnology is fundamentally focused on the application of scientific techniques to modify and improve biological entities, including cells, organisms, and biological processes. This involves various groundbreaking methods such as genetic engineering, molecular biology, cell culture, and more, which are utilized to enhance crop yield, develop new medical treatments, and create sustainable agricultural practices. The essence of biotechnology lies in its ability to manipulate biological systems for practical benefits, leading to advancements across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. The other options, while related to scientific or technological advancements, do not capture the core of biotechnology itself. For example, urban infrastructure development is more aligned with civil engineering and urban planning, rather than biological modifications. Environmental conservation practices involve protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, which can occasionally intersect with biotechnology but are not synonymous. Lastly, the manufacturing of new chemical products relates more to chemical engineering and industrial chemistry, rather than the biological focus that defines biotechnology. Hence, the option that highlights the application of scientific techniques to biological entities most accurately describes the primary concern of biotechnology.