Lecture 31 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What are the benefits of moving from field to controlled conditions in plant production?
Reduces environmental impact, prevents overharvesting, enables control over quantity & quality
Controlled conditions allow for more efficient production and reduce negative environmental effects.
What are the key control factors in plant production?
External environment (light, temp, humidity), internal environment (media, growth conditions), plant genetics
These factors are crucial for optimizing plant growth and product yield.
What is vertical farming?
Indoor farming of high-value plants (e.g. watercress)
Vertical farming allows for year-round production and maximizes space usage.
What are the advantages of vertical farming?
Increases yield of bioactive compounds (e.g. anthocyanins), ensures consistent quality, sustainable and resource-efficient
These advantages contribute to more reliable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
What are bioreactors in the context of plant natural product production?
Plant cell ‘bio-factories’ used for industrial-scale production of natural products
Bioreactors facilitate the controlled growth of plant cells for high-value product extraction.
What are the types of culture used in bioreactors?
- Suspension Cultures
- Immobilised Cell Cultures
- Hairy Root Cultures
Each culture type has specific applications and advantages in production processes.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Bubble Column (BC) bioreactor?
Advantages: Low shear, simple, low contamination risk. Disadvantages: Poor mixing in viscous media, foaming
Understanding these factors helps in selecting the right bioreactor for specific applications.
What is the function of elicitors in plant production?
Biotic or abiotic factors that trigger metabolite biosynthesis
Elicitors play a significant role in enhancing the yield of valuable natural products.
What are the mechanisms by which elicitors enhance production?
Activate specific plant biosynthetic pathways
This activation leads to increased production of desired metabolites.
What is the role of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in genetic engineering of plant cells?
Transfers T-DNA into plant genome
This process is fundamental for introducing new traits into plant species.
What is CRISPR-Cas9 used for in plant genetic engineering?
Precise genome editing
This technology allows for targeted modifications of the plant genome.
What is the case study focusing on taxadiene production about?
Transgenic expression of taxadiene synthase in plants increases yield
Taxadiene is a precursor to paclitaxel (Taxol®), a significant anticancer drug.
What is the purpose of metabolic engineering?
Redirects and enhances metabolic pathways
This approach is crucial for optimizing the production of desired metabolites.
What is the goal of synthetic biology?
Builds new biological pathways from modular genetic parts
Synthetic biology can significantly increase the efficiency of biological production processes.
What is the summary of the benefits of biotechnologies in plant production?
Vertical farming and bioreactors enable controlled, sustainable production; biotechnology enhances natural product yield
These innovations allow for more sustainable agricultural practices.
Fill in the blank: Plant cells and tissues can be more productive than ______ when optimized.
whole plants
This highlights the potential of using specific plant parts for enhanced production.
