Cell Biology & Tissue Culture - Week 3: Plant TC 2

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering plant reproduction strategies, flower anatomy, nutrient requirements, and hormone regulation in plant tissue culture.

Sexual reproduction

A process using gametes (egg and sperm) that fuse to form a zygote, producing offspring genetically different from the parent(s).

Asexual (vegetative) reproduction

The production of new individuals from roots, stems, or leaves without gamete fusion, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Explant

Small pieces of plant tissue used in tissue culture to generate large numbers of identical plants with desirable traits.

Anther

A part of the stamen that produces male gametes known as pollen.

Stigma

A part of the pistil that receives pollen and guides it toward the ovary for fertilisation.

Ovary

The plant structure containing female gametes (ovules) that must be reached by pollen for fertilisation to occur.

Pollination

The delivery step in plant reproduction where pollen is placed on the stigma.

Fertilisation

The fusion step where sperm from pollen reaches the ovule and fuses with the egg.

Murashige and Skoog (MS)

Invented in 1962, this is considered the 'standard medium' for plant tissue culture in which most plants thrive.

Macronutrients

Nutrients needed in large amounts that provide building blocks for cell division, growth, metabolism, and osmotic balance.

Nitrogen (N)

A macronutrient essential for amino acids and nucleic acids; deficiency leads to stunted growth and chlorosis.

Phosphorus (P)

A macronutrient required for ATP production, energy transfer, and root development.

Potassium (K)

A macronutrient responsible for enzyme activation and water balance, affecting overall plant vigour.

Calcium (Ca)

A macronutrient that ensures cell wall stability; deficiency leads to necrosis of growing tips.

Magnesium (Mg)

The central atom in chlorophyll, essential for the process of photosynthesis.

Sulphur (S)

A macronutrient that is part of some amino acids and supports protein structure.

Micronutrients

Elements needed in small quantities that act as enzyme cofactors and support hormone regulation and stress tolerance.

Iron (Fe)

A micronutrient required for chlorophyll synthesis; deficiency results in severe chlorosis.

Zinc (Zn)

A micronutrient used for hormone regulation, specifically auxin synthesis.

Auxins

Plant growth regulators that promote cell elongation, cell division, and stimulate root formation.

Cytokinins

Plant growth regulators that promote cell division and stimulate shoot formation.

Callus

An undifferentiated mass of cells that forms at high concentrations of auxins or balanced hormone ratios.

High auxin : low cytokinin ratio

A hormone balance that favors root formation and encourages callus formation.

Low auxin : high cytokinin ratio

A hormone balance that favors shoot formation and promotes bud initiation.

Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)

A specific type of Auxin used in tissue culture media, often at concentrations like $0.5\,ppm$.

6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP)

A specific type of Cytokinin used in tissue culture media, often at concentrations like $1.0\,ppm$.

Hardening

The final stage (Stage 5) of the plant tissue culture process before the plant is complete.

Vitrification

A negative outcome in tissue culture caused by macronutrient imbalance, resulting in weak or abnormal growth.