Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

Biotechnology is fundamentally about harnessing the properties of living systems and organisms to create products or processes beneficial to humans. It encompasses a wide range of technologies and applications, including genetic engineering, microbiology, and biochemistry.

The correct choice emphasizes the role of biotechnology in product development, which can include pharmaceuticals, agricultural advances, biofuels, and more. By manipulating organisms or their components, scientists can engineer specific traits or capabilities, thereby creating new solutions to address various needs, such as improving crop yields or developing new medical therapies.

While creating genetic mutations is a part of biotechnology, especially in research and genetic engineering, it is more specific and not as encompassing as the broader idea of developing products. The other options, such as destroying harmful bacteria or stopping cell division, represent specific applications or outcomes that do not capture the full scope of how biotechnology utilizes living systems. The core of biotechnology lies in its innovative approach to using biological organisms and processes to create useful products, improve industrial processes, and enhance health outcomes.