A scientist removed some cells from the growing point of a plant and placed it in a suitable medium leading to the formation of a shapeless lump of mass X. X is then transferred to another medium which stimulates it to develop roots. When X with developed roots is placed in a yet another medium, then it develops shoots to form tiny plantlets. These plantlets can then be transplanted in pots or soil where they can grow to form mature plants.
(a) What is the shapeless lump of mass X known as ?
(b) What name is given to this method of producing new plants ?
(c) The growth medium used in this method contains plant nutrients in the form of a 'jelly'. Name this jelly.
(d) What is the general name of chemicals used to stimulate the growth of plant cells and development of roots and shoots?
(e) Name any two plants which are produced by this method.
(f) State any two advantages of this method of producing plants.
(g) What is the other name of this method [other than that given in (b) above] ?
(a) The shapeless lump of mass (X) is known as callus.
(b) This method is known as tissue culture.’
(c) The growth medium used in this method contains plant nutrients in the form of a 'jelly'. This jelly is known as agar.
(d) The general name of chemicals used to stimulate the growth of plant cells and development of roots and shoots is known as plant hormones.
(e) Dahlia and Carnation
(f) Advantages: (i) The new plants produced by tissue culture are disease free.
(ii) Tissue culture can grow plants round the year, irrespective of weather or season.
(g) The other name of tissue culture is micropropagation.