Artificial cloning in plants

Created by: TaraCBeckworth
Created on: 04-06-17 17:56

What is micropropagation?

The process of making large numbers of genetically identical offspring from a single parent plant using tissue culture techniques

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When is micropropagation used?

When a desirable plant: doesn't readily produce seeds, doesn't respond well to natural cloning, is rare, has been GMed or selectively bred with difficulty

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What are the first stages of micropropagation before a callus has been made

Take a sample of meristem tissue in sterile conditions to avoid contamination from fungi and bacteria, sterilised by immersing it in sterilising agent, then the explant is placed in a culture medium containing a balance of plant hormones

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Once the callus is formed, what do they do with it?

The cells have proliferated forming a mass of identical cells (the callus) which is divided up and each of the clumps or individual cells are placed into another culture medium of plant hormones and nutrients and develop into plantlets then mature

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Advantages of micropropagation

Rapid production of known genetic makeup which yield good crops, produced disease free plants, possible to make viable numbers of GM plants, can grow large numbers of seedless plants, a way of growing plants that are hard to grow from seed

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Disadvantages of micropropagation

Monoculture- genetically identical, susceptible to same diseases & environment changes, expensive & requires skilled workers, plantlets vulnerable to infection, if source plant infected by virus all the offspring will have it

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

When is micropropagation used?

Back

When a desirable plant: doesn't readily produce seeds, doesn't respond well to natural cloning, is rare, has been GMed or selectively bred with difficulty

Card 3

Front

What are the first stages of micropropagation before a callus has been made

Back

Card 4

Front

Once the callus is formed, what do they do with it?

Back

Card 5

Front

Advantages of micropropagation

Back

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Artificial cloning in plants