NCERT Class 11 Biotechnology Biotechnology: Chapter 1 — Introduction to Biotechnology
This chapter introduces Biotechnology as a broad area of biology that applies natural sciences to develop technologies for human welfare. It traces the historical application of science, like physics and chemistry leading to engineering, and highlights the evolution of biotechnology into diverse fields such as genetics and genomics. The chapter credits Karl Ereky, a Hungarian scientist, for coining the term 'biotechnology' in 1917. Ereky's work focused on using technology to transform plants and animals into useful products. This foundational chapter sets the stage for understanding the early history and recent advancements in biotechnology, crucial for CBSE Class 11 students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Biotechnology |
| Book | Biotechnology |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Introduction to Biotechnology |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 164 |
Learning outcomes
- Define Biotechnology and its scope.
- Understand the historical application of natural sciences in technology.
- Identify Karl Ereky as the person who coined the term 'biotechnology'.
- Recognize the expansion of biotechnology into various modern fields.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Biotechnology | The application of scientific knowledge to develop technologies for human welfare and comfort. |
| Genetics | The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. |
| Immunology | The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity. |
| Genomics | The study of genomes (an organism's complete set of DNA). |
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Practice questions
- Who coined the term 'biotechnology' and in which year? Answer: Karl Ereky coined the term 'biotechnology' in 1917.
- What was Karl Ereky's book about? Answer: Karl Ereky's book was about the Biotechnology of Meat, Fat and Milk Production in an Agriculture Large-scale Farm.
- According to the chapter, how has knowledge of natural sciences been applied? Answer: Knowledge of natural sciences has been applied to develop technologies for the welfare and comfort of human beings and to enhance the value of human lives.
Frequently asked questions
What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a broad area of biology that applies knowledge from natural sciences to develop technologies for the welfare and comfort of human beings.
Who is credited with coining the term 'Biotechnology'?
The term 'biotechnology' was coined by Karl Ereky, a Hungarian scientist.
When was the term 'Biotechnology' first used?
The term 'biotechnology' was first used in 1917 by Karl Ereky.
What are some fields that Biotechnology has expanded into?
Biotechnology has expanded into diverse fields such as genetics, immunology, agriculture, and genomics.
What was the main idea described by Karl Ereky in his book?
Karl Ereky described how technology could be used to transform plants and animals into useful products.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 Biotechnology — Biotechnology — Chapter 1 — Introduction to Biotechnology. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.