6.4 Cloning and biotechnology Flashcards
(108 cards)
define clones
genetically identical organisms or cells
how are clones produced
by asexual reproduction in which the nucleus is divided by mitosis where is creates two identical copies of DNA. These cells may not always be physically or chemically identical as, after division, they may differentiate to form two different types of cell
What is an example of cloning
yeasts reprudce by budding
bacteria reproduce by binary fission
what are advanatages of natual cloning
-if the conditions for growth are good for the parent, they will also be good for the offspring
-cloning is relatively rapid so the population can increase quickly to take advanatage of the suitable environmental conditions
-reproduction can be carried out even if there is only one parent
what are the disadvantages of natural cloning
-the offspring may become overcrowded
-there will be no genetic diversity (except for when theres mutation)
-the population shows little variation
-selection is not possible
-if the environment changes to be less advanatgeous as the whole population is susceptible
what is vegetative propagation
the process of reproduction through vegetative parts of the plant, rather than through specialised reproductive structures
What are runners, stolen and rhizomes?
-horizontal stems that can form roots at certain points
-they are called stolens of they grow on the surface of the ground
-they are called rhizomes if they are underground
How are some rhizomes adapted?
-they are thickened over-wintering organs from which one of more new stems will grow in the spring
what are suckers?
-new stems that grow from the roots of a plant
-these may be close to the base of an older stem or could be some distance away
-in all cases, the original horizontal branch may die, leaving the new stem as a separate individual
Describe Bulbs
-an over-wintering mechanism for many perennial monocotyledonous plants
-they consist of an underground stem from which grow a series of flesh leaf bases
-they have an apical bud which will grow into a new plant in the spring
-often a bulb contains more that one apical bud and each will grow into a new plant
Describe Corms
-solid rather than fleshy like a bulb
-they are an underground stem with scaly leaves and buds
-they remain in the ground over winter
-in the spring, the buds grow to produce one or more new plants
-croci and gladioli reproduce using corms
Describe leaves
-Kalanchoe plant reproduces asexually as clones grow on the leaf margins
-the immature plants drop off the leaf and take root
Describe Tubers
-another type of underground stem
-potatoes are tubers
-one potato will grow into one or more plants
-each new plant can then produce many new tubers
Describe cloning in animals
-do not clone as often as plants
-mammals clone when identical twins are formed
-occurs when a zygote divides as normal but two daughter cells then split to become two separate cells
-each cell grows and develops into a new individual
-the water flea and greenfly are examples of animals that commonly reproduce asexually to produce clones
Define micropropagation
growing large numbers of new plants from meristem tissue taken from a sample plant
Define tissue culture
growing new tissues, organs or plants from certain tissues cut from a sample plant
What is the easiest way to create clones?
-through making cuttings
-to make a cutting, a stem is cut between two leaf joints (nodes)
-the cut end of the stem is then placed in moist soil
-new roots will grow from the tissues in the stem (usually from the node) but they may grow from other parts of the buried stem
What are cuttings used for?
To produce large numbers of plants very quickly
What other treatment may some plants need as well as making cuttings?
-dipping the cut stem in rooting hormone to help stimulate root growth
-may be helpful to wound or remove the bark from the cut end of the stem as this encourages the plant to produce a callus
What parts of the plant can be used to make cuttings?
-Root cuttings, a section of root is buried just below the soil surface and produces new shoots
-scion cuttings, which are dormant woody twigs
-leaf cuttings, a leaf is placed on moist soil. the leaves develop new stems and new roots. some leaves may produce many new plants from one cutting
Why is cloning by taking cuttings not alway appropriate?
-can be time consuming
-needs a lot of space
-some plants don’t respond well to taking cuttings
How is tissue culture carried out?
-carried out on a nutrient medium under sterile conditions
-application of plant growth substances at the correct time can encourage the cells in the growing tissue to differentiate
-it is widely used commercially to increase the number of new plants
What does micropropagation involve?
- Suitable plant material is selected and cut into small pieces (explants) Meristem tissue is often used as it is always free virus infection
2.They are sterilised using dilute bleach or alcohol- essential to kill any bacteria and fungi, as these would thrive in the conditions supplied to help the plant grow well - They are placed on a sterile growth medium containing suitable nutrients such as glucose, amino acids and phosphates. The gel contains high concentrations of he plant growth substances auxin and cytokinin which stimulates the cells of each explant to divide by mitosis to form a callus.
4.Once a callus has formed, it is divided to produce a larger number of small clumps of undifferentiated cells
5.These clumps of cells are stimulated to grow, divide and differentiate into different plant tissues. This is achieved by moving the cells to different growth media. each medium contains different ratios of auxin and cytokinin. The first medium contains the ratio 100 auxin: 1 cytokinin, and this stimulates roots to form. The second medium contains the ratio of 4 auxin: 1 cytokinin which stimulates the shoots to form. - Once tiny platelets have been formed, these are transferred to a greenhouse to be grown in compost or soil and acclimatised to normal growing conditions
What are explants?
-can be tiny pieces of leaf, stem, root or bud