Module 6. section 5: Cloning and biotech.

Whats vegetative propogation.

The cloning of plants from non reproductive tissue.

How to make a clone from a cutting?

Cut 10cm section of stem, removing all leaves except for one at the tip.

Dip root of plant into rooting powder, and place into growth medium like soil.

Place in propogator to grow, and then replant elsewhere.

How to use tissue culture to make a plant clone?

Take cells from root/shoot tips and sterilise.

Place cells in growth medium in petri dish, all done under aseptic conditions.

When finished and mass of cells created, take out and plant in soil.

Microporopogation? when is this used also

Cells are taken from developing plants and placed onto culture medium. Creates huge numbers of clones.

Describe the process of artificial embryo twinning.

1. Egg is taken from mother and fertilised in vitro.

2. After embryo has split a few times, it is split and placed into four growth mediums

3. Each embryo is given time to replicate and the embryos are then inserted into four surrogate mothers, making four identical clones.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer?

1. Nucleus taken from somatic cell (body cell) and inserted into oocyte (enucleated egg cell)

2. Electric current applied, causing the nucleated oocyte to split, forming an embryo.

3. Embryo inserted into mum and clone is formed.

Why are enzymes used in biotech?

simple growth requirements, rapid reproduction. grown at any time, and only need cheap ingredients.

Pros and cons for using microorganisms in food production?

1. Can be produced using waste products, healthier alternative than animal based protein, can be cultured anywhere and can be made cheaply

2. Doesnt taste like real meat, people dont like the idea of eating microorganisms, lots of energy goes into making sure growth medium isnt damaged.

Three methods to immobilise isolated enzymes?

silica gel matrix

covalently bonded to cellulose fibres.

alginate jelly like beads.