Cloning Flashcards
1
Q
How does micropropagation work?
A
- The tips of stems and side shoots are removed from the plant to be cloned. These are called explants
- Sterilise the explants
- Place them on sterile agar jelly containing nutrients and hormones to encourage growth
- Transfer the shoots into another culture medium with different hormones for root growth
- When the explants have grown roots, they are transferred to a greenhouse and transplanted into compost to grow
2
Q
Advantages of micropropagation
A
- Large numbers of genetically identical plants can be produced quickly
- Species that are difficult to grow from seeds or cuttings can be propagated
- Plants can be produced at any time of year
- Large numbers of plants can be stored easily
- Genetic modification can be introduced into thousands of plants quickly after modifying only a few plants
3
Q
Disadvantages of micropropagation
A
- A disease can affect the entire species
- It is very expensive
- Some plants or cultivates do not come true to type after being cultured
- Some plants are very difficult to disinfect of fungal organisms
4
Q
How does somatic cell nuclear transfer work?
A
1.1 Cells in A’s mammary gland
1.2 Egg cell (ovum) from B
2.1 One somatic diploid cell isolated
2.2 Haploid nucleus removed (enucleated)
3. Two cells are fused together using electrical current
4. Cell division produces an early embryo
5. Embryo implanted in C
6. Clone of A produced
