Take this quiz to test yourself on NanoTech vs BioTech

What of the following statements are correct about “biologics”? (Select all that apply)

Biologics deal nearly exclusively with organic micro-organisms and organic substances.

Biologics can operate both at the nanoscale (size of molecules of life) and microscale (size of cells and tissues).

Biologics are used in energy storage, computation, and electronics, while nanotechnology is used in agriculture- and medical-related fields.

Biologics usually involve subtly re-engineering or modifying natural entities and organisms to advance the field of medicine.

Biologics are NOT considered nanotechnology products, despite involving materials at the nanoscale, such as antibodies and proteins.

Biotechnology and nanotechnology are, in a number of aspects, DIFFERENT scientific and engineering disciplines because: (Select all that apply)

Certain molecules of life, such as DNA and proteins, can only be used in biotechnology.

Biotech uses biological molecules and engineers living entities (bacteria) or viruses, in sharp contrast to nanotech, which mostly uses inorganic, man-made materials.

Biotech is all about life science, whereas nanotech provides new materials to create the next generation of many products, such as electronics, solar panels, and high-capacity batteries (to name a few).

Nanotechnology refers to materials in a very specific range of dimensions (1-100 nm), whereas biotechnology operates on even larger scales, such as genetically modified corn or creating artificial organs.

Biotechnology and nanotechnology are, for certain aspects, SIMILAR scientific and engineering disciplines because: (Select all that apply)

They overlap creating two intersecting subfields: bio-nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology.

Bacteria have been programmed to create nanotubes from sugar.

Certain nanostructures can be made using biological molecules, such as DNA and proteins.

Both disciplines make, manipulate, and use entities that are/can be at the nanoscale.

Both their names contain the word “technology.”

What applications of biotechnology do NOT utilize nanotechnology? (Select all that apply)

Human gene editing using the CRISPR method

Creating hybrid fruits via seed splicing

Creating on more effective, less biotoxic drugs, such as Abraxane

Creating plants, such as soy, resistant to pesticides and herbicides

The production of “biologics”

Examples of nano-biotechnology include: (Select all that apply)

Engineering E.coli bacterial to synthesize graphene from sugar

Creating biodegradable nanostructures that contain drug molecules for more efficient drug delivery

Engineering crops to synthesize buckyballs from carbon dioxide and sunlight (modified photosynthesis)

Attaching a piece of DNA to a carbon nanotube for gene therapy

Decorating gold nanoshells with antibody targeting cancer cells

Attaching nanowires to neuron cells to send electrical pulses

Examples of bio-nanotechnology include: (Select all that apply)

Engineering a virus to recognize and attack cancer cells

Designing a number of different DNA oligonucleotides that, when placed in the same solution, spontaneously assemble into a three-dimensional structure

Injecting segments of DNA into liver cells for gene therapy

Engineering a virus to inject lethal nanoparticles into cancer cells

Studying the mitochondria making proteins in human cells

Using proteins from kelp to synthesize a durable, biofriendly nanosurface to grow cells on

What of the following statements about these careers are most likely to be correct? (Select all that apply)

DNA sequences made by a biochemist can be used by a nano-bio-technologist to make three-dimensionals DNA wires, which can be used by an electrophysicist to make high-capacity, miniature batteries, taking advantage of the fact that DNA molecules are highly charged

A person with a degree in molecular biology can create specific DNA sequences, then a person with a degree in electrical engineering can use those sequences to make a new sensor, then a person with a degree in biomedical engineering can use that sensor for a medical device

A drug molecule made by a synthetic organic chemist is packaged into a liposome nanostructure by a bio-nanotechnologists, then used by an oncologist to treat a patient with cancer

Soldiers can use genetically-modified, super-hard almonds created by a genetic engineer as a substitute for ammunition when out of bullets and cornered by enemies

Which of the following statements about biotech and nanotech are correct? (Select all that apply)

Nanotechnology deals with nanoscale materials and structure, mostly made of inorganic materials and sometimes made with organic molecules

Biotechnology deals exclusively with life science

Nanotechnology often involves using natural structures as inspiration, but is usually engineered from scratch

Nanotechnology is a much recent field of science and engineering than biotechnology, which has been around since the 1970s

NanoTechnology vs. BioTechnology Quiz

NanoTechnology vs. BioTechnology Quiz