BRAINCAKECloning Plants
Plants can be cloned to produce many offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. This is useful for multiplying a valuable or genetically modified plant quickly.
Micropropagation (tissue culture)
1. A small piece of tissue, called an explant, is cut from the parent plant, often from a meristem such as a shoot tip.
2. The explant is sterilised, for example with dilute bleach, to kill microorganisms on its surface.
3. It is placed on a sterile agar medium containing glucose, amino acids, minerals and plant hormones (auxins and cytokinins).
4. The cells divide by mitosis to form an undifferentiated mass called a callus.
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Key terms in this lesson
- aseptic technique
- Working methods that prevent microorganisms from contaminating cultures or equipment.
More in Gene Technology
- Liposome Wrapping
- Microinjection
- Gene Silencing
- Transgenic Plants
- Genetic Modification of Crops
- Genetic Modification of Soya Bean
- Gene Technology in Animals
- Gene Technology in Humans
All 17 lessons in Gene Technology · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics