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Biotechnology
Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Biological Techniques,
Procedures and Methods
Biotechnology – Grade 8
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 4: Biological Techniques, Procedures and Methods
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Janine F. Calma

Editor: Cristina C. Samaniego
Reviewer: Ma. Katherine C. Rivero
Illustrator: Alma F. Garcia
Layout Artist: Neri D. Mangalindan
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Education Program Supervisor, AP/ADM : Romeo M. Layug
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Office Address: Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan
Telefax: (047) 237-2102
E-mail Address: [email protected]
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Biotechnology
Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Biological Techniques,
Procedures and Methods
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Biotechnology – Grade 8 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Biological Techniques, Procedures and Methods!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by

educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or
facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum
while overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also
aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them
to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and
assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Biotechnology – Grade 8 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Biological Techniques, Procedures and Methods!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often
used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create
and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an
active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to

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 process what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

In module 3, you studied about the laboratory apparatus and equipment used in
Biotechnology. You have also been provided with sufficient information on their
functions or uses.

As you go through this module, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the
different Biological techniques and methods commonly used in the laboratory.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

 Identify the different Biological techniques used in Biotechnology;

 Describe these Biological techniques, procedures and methods;
 Explain the importance of Aseptic technique; and
 Appreciate the importance of these techniques to human life.

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 What I Know

Before you work on this module, answer first the pre-assessment prepared for you.

WORD CONNECT: Arrange the jumbled letters properly to come up with words
related to Biological techniques.

1. COLNING -
2. TRICENGAFUTION -
3. TROELECREPHOSIS -
4. GRAPHYMATOCHRO -

5. ISSUET TUCULRE -

Completion: Fill in the blanks to complete each sentence.

6. A spectrophotometer is a special instrument that measures how much
_________________a substance absorbs.

7. ________________is a method used to determine the exact order of the four

nucleotide bases – adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine - that make up a strand
of DNA.

8. _________________ is a technique to make many copies of a specific DNA region in

vitro (in a test tube rather than an organism).

9. Cloning is a molecular biology technique which is used for the creation of a

genetically ________________ copy of a cell or an organism.

10. Gels for DNA separation are often made from a polysaccharide
called _________________ which comes as dry, powdered flakes.

True or False: Write T if the statement is true, and F it is false.

______11. The four nucleotide bases are adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine.

______12. Centrifugation uses centrifuge, a device that can rapidly spin, to speed

up this process

______13. Biological techniques are methods or procedures that are used to study

living things.

______14. Centrifugation is a technique of separating molecules having different

densities by spinning them in solution around an axis at low speed.

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______15. Clones are organisms that are exact genetic copies.

Lesson BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES,

PROCEDURES AND
1 METHODS

Before making any procedure or experiment in a laboratory it is essential to know

first the best practices or safety precautions, because negligence of this could lead
to severe consequences, or it could even cost a life.

Aseptic techniques are describe as a set of routine procedures performed to avoid

sterilized solutions and cultures from becoming contaminated by unnecessary
microorganisms in the laboratory.

In Biotechnology lab, we use aseptic techniques not only to prevent the

contamination of the solutions and cultures, but also to protect us and other
individuals from being contaminated and to control the spread of pathogens
(disease-causing microorganisms). Thus, proper and appropriate aseptic
techniques are important for the safety of all laboratory personnel.

In our present situation, there are various microorganisms in the environment that
cause different diseases such as the COVID 19. If your home is our laboratory, how
are you going to protect yourselves and your loved ones from the corona virus? The
most important advice health experts told us to stay safe from the virus is to wash
our hand regularly. This step also applies in the aseptic technique! Hands are really
the main pathways of germs transmission, so hand washing continues to be most
important act in saving lives. So, before it’s too late let us practice the proper hand
washing technique and make it a habit!

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 What’s In

Hand Washing Activity

Wet your hands, apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces then follow these 7
simple steps.

1. Rub palms together

2. Rub the back of both hands
3. Interface fingers and rub the hands together
4. Interlock fingers and rub the back of fingers of both hands
5. Rub thumb in a rotational manner followed by the region between index finger
and thumb
6. Rub finger tips on palm of both hands.
7. Rub both wrists in a rotational manner, rinse out and dry thoroughly.

1 2 3

HAND WASHING
STEPS

4 5 6 7

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 What’s New

Now that your hands are already clean, you can now perform a simple activity in
the comfort of your home!

THE TRUE COLORS OF LEAVES!

What is the color of the leaves? Perhaps, your answer would be green, because you
know for a fact that leaves contain the green pigment known as the Chlorophyll.
But, is it the only pigment that leaves have? Do this activity to see if there are
hidden colors in green leaves!

Note: Adult supervision is recommended.

What You Need:

 green leaves
 glass/ plastic cup/wide-mouthed jar
 mortar and pestle (almires or dikdikan)
 isopropyl rubbing alcohol
 used cardboard or folder
 tissue
 pencil
 dish or small basin
 hot water

What You Do:

1. Tear the leaves into several pieces. If

you have mortar and pestle you can
use it to pound and extract the green
juice from the leaves then put it in a
glass. Add just enough rubbing alcohol
to cover them. Put a cardboard on top
of the glass to keep the alcohol from
evaporating.

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 2. Put the glass in a dish with hot tap
water (ask for adult assistance in
doing this step) for about 30
minutes, until the alcohol turns
green

3. Cut a strip of tissue paper about a

half inch wide and tape it to a pencil.
Suspend the pencil across the glass
and let the strip just barely touch the
alcohol and pigment mixture. Leave
for about 30-60 minutes.
Caution: the solvent (alcohol) is
highly flammable and gives off
potentially harmful fumes. Do not
directly smell the solution.

Guide Questions:

1. What colors become visible in your chromatography paper or tissue?

2. Which of the colors travelled highest in the paper/tissue? Which travelled

the lowest?

3. Were you able to separate the colors or pigments of the green mixture?

4. What do you call the process of separating the mixtures of pigments in the
leaves?

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 What is It

Photo Quiz: Choose from the box the correct Biological techniques that is shown
in the illustration below.

Centrifugation Gel electrophoresis

Polymerase chain reaction Chromatography
Cell and tissue culture

1._______________________ 2. ______________________

3. _______________________ 4. _______________________

5. _______________________

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In the What’s New activity, you were given a chance to perform one of the Biological
techniques that is being conducted in the laboratory.

Biological techniques are methods or procedures that are employed to study

living things. They consist of experimental and computational methods,
approaches, protocols, and tools for biological research. Moreover, in order to find
the best results for the experiments, it is essential to be very crafty with the
laboratory instruments and to be skillful with laboratory techniques.

THE DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES 

 CLONING

Cloning is a molecular biology technique which is used for the creation of

genetically identical copy of a cell or an organism. Clones are organisms that
are exact genetic copies. Every single bit of their DNA is identical. Clones can
occur naturally; identical twins are just one of several examples. Or they can be
made in the laboratory. Dolly, an adult ewe, was the initial mammal to be
cloned from adult somatic cells by the process of nuclear transfer.

Dolly the sheep

 DNA SEQUENCING

DNA sequencing is a method used to determine the exact order of the four
nucleotide bases – adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine - that make up a
strand of DNA. The sequence of bases differs amongst organisms and codes for
their distinctive characteristics. Determining the sequence can assist scientists
to compare DNA between organisms, which can help reveal how the organisms
are related. It has also supplied an important tool for determining the
thousands of nucleotide variations associated with specific genetic diseases,
which may help to better comprehend these diseases and develop treatment.

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 Applications:

 distinguishing areas of DNA associated with features, including

specific diseases or increased susceptibility to specific diseases
 recognizing gene expression and how different genes interact
 identification of substances, individuals and species

 CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE

Cell and tissue culture are the growth of tissues or cells separate from the
organism. Tissue culture is a technique of biological research in which
fragments of tissue from an animal or plant are transferred to an unnatural
environment in which they can continue to survive and function. It is typically
facilitated via use of a liquid, semisolid, or solid growth medium such as broth
or agar.

Applications:

 Formation of many clones from a single explant (a cell, organ, or piece of tissue
which has been transferred from animals or plants to a nutrient medium)
 Selection and culturing of desirable characteristic traits.
 Reproduction without the need for seeds.
 No constraints on growing plants due to seasons.
 short production time with long generation time

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  CENTRIFUGATION
Centrifugation is a method of separating molecules having distinct densities by
rotating them in a solution around an axis at high speed. Centrifugation uses
centrifuge, a device that can rapidly spin, to speed up this process. It is one of the
most helpful and commonly used techniques in the molecular biology laboratory.

Applications:

 Separating chalk powder from water

 Removing fat from milk to produce skimmed
milk
 The clarification and stabilization of wine
 Separation of urine components and blood
components

 CHROMATOGRAPHY
Chromatography is an important procedure that allows the separation, recognition,
and purification of the components of a mixture for qualitative and quantitative
study. There are four major types of chromatography, these are
Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Thin-Layer Chromatography and
Paper Chromatography

Applications:
 In testing water samples and also checks air quality.

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  In food spoilage and additive detection
 Determining the nutritional quality of food
 In forensic pathology and crime scene analysis like examining blood and hair
samples in a crime place.

 GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

Gel electrophoresis is a laboratory procedure applied to isolate DNA, RNA, or

proteins from a mixture according to molecular size. In gel electrophoresis,
the molecules to be separated are driven by an electrical field through a gel
that contains tiny pores. Gel electrophoresis requires a gel, a slab of Jell-O-
like substance. Gels for DNA separation are frequently made from a
polysaccharide known as agarose, which comes as dry, pulverized or
powdered flakes.

Applications:

 To obtain a DNA fingerprint for forensic purposes

 To check a PCR reaction.
 To scan for genes associated with a certain disease.

 SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Spectrophotometry involves running statistical analysis, so data must be in

numerical form for accurate measurement of the interaction of light with different
materials. Light can be reflected, transmitted, scattered, or absorbed, and a
material can emit light, either because it has absorbed some light and remits it.
A spectrophotometer is a special device that gauges how much light a material
absorbs. Every substance will transmit or reflect back and absorb light slightly
differently.

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Applications:

 Detection of concentration of substances

 Characterization of proteins
 Respiratory gas analysis in hospitals
 Molecular weight determination of compounds

 POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)

Polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, is a method to make numerous copies of a
definite DNA region in vitro (in a test tube rather than an organism). PCR tests have
become essential for rapid diagnosis and epidemiology of diseases such as
tuberculosis and the new Corona virus disease. In fact, the development of PCR is
arguably the key technology that has allowed the Biotechnology revolution. A very
small sample of DNA can be magnified many times to allow analysis.

Applications:
 Genetic fingerprinting
 Parental testing – in forensic cases
 Formulation of cancer therapy treatments
 Early detection of various types of cancer & HIV
 DNA sequencing, cloning & gene expression

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 What’s More

Table 1: Complete the table below by writing a brief description of Biological

techniques in column 2 and write application of each technique in column 3.

Biological Techniques Description Application/Uses

1. Cloning

2. DNA Sequencing

3. Cell and Tissue Culture

4. Centrifugation

5. Chromatography

6. Gel Electrophoresis

7. Spectrophotometry

8. Polymerase Chain Reaction

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 What I Have Learned

Complete Me!
Direction: Complete the map below by writing Biological techniques that you have
learned and describe each technique briefly.

CONCEPT MAP

1._______________
_________________
_________________
BIIOLOGICAL ______________
TECHNIQUES
_________________

2._______________
5.______________
_________________
________________
_________________
BIOLOGICAL ________________
______________
TECHNIQUES ________________
_________________ _____________

________________

3._______________ 4._______________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
______________ ______________

_________________ _________________

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 What I Can Do

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words!

Make a poster that depicts the importance of Biological techniques to human life.
You will be given 2 days to conceptualize and execute your ideas through poster
making.

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 Assessment

I. Multiple choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. A ___________ is a special instrument that measures how much light a
substance absorbs.
a. galvanometer c. thermometer
b. spectrophotometer d. speedometer

2. It is a method used to determine the exact order of the four nucleotide

bases – adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine - that make up a strand of
DNA.
a. DNA cloning c. DNA sequencing
b. DNA fingerprinting d. DNA testing

3. It is a molecular biology technique which is used for the creation of a

genetically identical copy of a cell or an organism.
a. DNA cloning c. DNA sequencing
b. DNA fingerprinting d. DNA testing

4. It refers to the practices performed immediately before and during a

clinical procedure.
a. Septic technique c. Biology technique
b. Aseptic technique d. Microbial technique

5. In this technique, the molecules to be separated are pushed by an

electrical field through a gel that contains small pores.
a. Gel electrophoresis c. DNA sequencing
b. DNA cloning d. Spectrophotometry

II. True or False: Write BT if the statement is true. If it is false, change the
underlined word/s to make it correct.
______6. Dolly, a female sheep, was the initial mammal to be cloned from
adult somatic cells by the method of nuclear transfer.

______7. Centrifugation uses centrifuge, a device that can rapidly spin, to

speed up this process

______8. Clones are organisms that are exact genetic copies.

______9. Centrifugation is a technique of separating molecules having

different densities by spinning them in solution around an axis at low speed.

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 ______10. The order of bases varies between organisms and codes for their
unique characteristics.

III. Matching type: Match column A with column B.

B
A

_____11. Separation of urine

components and blood component. a. DNA sequencing

_____12.Parental testing – in b. Cell and Tissue Culture

forensic cases.
c. Centrifugation
_____13. In testing water samples
and also checks air quality. d. Chromatography

e. Polymerase chain reaction

_____14. Reproduction without the
need for seeds

_____15. Identifying regions of DNA

associated with particular
features, including
specific diseases or
increased susceptibility to specific
diseases.

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 Additional Activities

To further check your understanding about Biological techniques and their

application, answer each question comprehensively.

1. Alex have been searching for his biological father for a long time and upon
exerting a lot of time and effort, he thinks he may have found his father! Is there
any way for him to know if he was in fact his father? What Biological technique he
and his presumed father must undergo and why?

2. Mr. Santos, who is a farmer wants to study rice cell in a controlled environment.
He wants to reproduce it without the need for seeds. He wants his crop yield to
increased, but in a short period of time.  What Biological technique he needs to
perform and why?

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 Answer Key

What I Know:

1. Cloning
2. Centrifugation
3. Electrophoresis
4. Chromatography What is it:
5. Tissue culture What’s New:
6. Light 1. Chromatography
7. DNA sequencing 1. Green and Yellow 2. Gel
8. Polymerase chain electrophoresis
2. Yellow, Green 3. Centrifugation
reaction
9. Identical 4. Tissue culture
3. Yes
10. Agarose 5. Polymerase chain
11. T 4. Leaf Chromatography reaction
12. T
13. T
14. F
15. T

Assessment:

1. B
2. C Additional Activities:
What More: 3. A
4. B 1. PCR Machine/Test
-Depends on 5. A -Students explanation
students answer. 6. BT may vary
-Students 7. BT 2. Cell and Tissue Culture
answer may 8. BT -Students explanation
vary 9. High speed may vary
10. BT
11. C
12. E
13. D
14. B
15. A

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References
Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) Additional Subjects
Curriculum Guide accessed June 19, 2020

Walker, s., 2007. Biotechnology Demystified. New York, p.123 accessed June 24,
2020

2005. Encyclopedia of Analytical Science. 2nd ed. pp.243-250. accessed June 26,

2020

Stephenson, F., 2003. Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Weller, T., 2020. Encyclopedia Britannica. accessed June 22,2020

https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/-aseptic-technique-all-clinical-
settings accessed June 22, 2020

https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/leaf-chromatography-
science-project/ accessed June 22, 2020

https://www.thoughtco.com/do-paper-chromatography-with-leaves-602235
accessed June 22, 2020

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2028-dna-sequencing accessed June

22, 2020

https://www.biologydiscussion.com/plants/plant-tissue-culture/4-main-steps-of-
tissue-culture-techniques-biotechnology/61264 accessed June 25, 2020

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-
biology/centrifugation accessed June 25, 2020

https://microbenotes.com/chromatography-principle-types-and-applications/

accessed June 25, 2020

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B0123693977004751

accessed June 26, 2020

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2029-gel-electrophoresis

accessed June 26, 2020

https://microbenotes.com/spectrophotometer-principle-instrumentation-
applications/ accessed June 26, 2020

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region III,

Schools Division of Bataan - Curriculum Implementation Division
Learning Resources Management and Development Section (LRMDS)

Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan

Telefax: (047) 237-2102

Email Address: [email protected]

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