Final answer:
Biotechnology is the use of organisms in technological applications to create products for specific uses like cheese, where prokaryotes are manipulated. The term, coined by Karl Ereky, encompasses such traditional practices that predate the word itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Karl Ereky coined the term biotechnology in 1919, he referred to the integration of biology and technology to use living organisms or their systems to develop or create different products with specific use for human purposes. Even before the term was established, humans utilized prokaryotes to produce and modify food products such as cheese, bread, wine, beer, and yogurt. These foods are classic examples of biotechnology applications, as they involve the manipulation of microbes for food production, a process that results in enhanced flavor, longevity, and nutritional value.