Y9 Biology - Plant Cloning

Step 1

Cut a small section of stem

Step 2

Dip the stem into rooting powder

Step 3

Plant it directly in the soil

Step 4

The stem cells at the bottom grow into new root hair cells

Define tissue culture

Using small groups of cells from plants tp grow identical new plants

Step 1 (tc)

Cut a small piece of tissue (eg meristem)

Step 2 (tc)

Sterilise the tissue

Step 3 (tc)

Place the tissue on nutrient agar

Step 4 (tc)

Cells divide by mitosis and form a callus

Step 5 (tc)

Add hormones to encourage roots and shoots

Step 6(tc)

Add plantlets to soil

Advantages of tissue culture to cuttings [4]

Faster for large scale production, can be done all year round, useful for plants that don’t root easily, disease free plants

Disadvantage of tissue culture to cuttings [3]

More expensive, higher risk of contamination, more time consuming