Which of the following activities is an example of biotechnology?

Biotechnology encompasses a wide range of techniques and applications that utilize biological systems, organisms, or derivatives in the development or manufacture of products. Genetic engineering and plant breeding both fit this definition, as they involve manipulating living organisms to achieve desired traits or outcomes.

Genetic engineering refers specifically to the direct manipulation of an organism's DNA. This could include altering genes to produce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that may have increased resistance to pests, enhanced nutritional content, or other beneficial characteristics. This method is a cornerstone of modern biotechnology.

Plant breeding, on the other hand, is a more traditional form of biotechnology that involves selecting parent plants with desirable traits and cross-breeding them to produce offspring that inherit those traits. Advances in plant breeding techniques, including marker-assisted selection, align it closely with biotechnological practices. Both genetic engineering and plant breeding have significantly contributed to agriculture and food production by enhancing crop yields and improving disease resistance.

While wastewater treatment is an essential process that employs biological principles, it is less directly associated with technological manipulation of living organisms for specific products or traits. Therefore, the combination of genetic engineering and plant breeding as examples of biotechnology reflects their active roles in manipulating biological systems for practical applications.