Chapter 17 Tissue Culture: Micropropagation 445
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Know and Understand
Answer the following questions using the information provided in this chapter.
1. What is micropropagation and why is it important?
2. How are cloned plants produced using micropropagation?
3. Why is micropropagation considered an application of biotechnology?
4. List two important micropropagation dates in history and explain what took place.
5. List three benefi ts or advantages and three risks or disadvantages of using
micropropagation.
6. What type of plant material is commonly micropropagated?
7. Describe the conditions that are needed for micropropagation of plant material.
8. What are some safety tips to follow for micropropagation?
9. What are the three main ingredients in growth media used for micropropagation?
10. What happens in stage 0 of micropropagation?
11. What is one tip for effective hand washing?
12. What are the three main activities in stage 1 (initiation) for micropropagation?
13. What are four sources of explant material used for micropropagation?
14. How does a technician successfully transfer an explant using aseptic techniques?
15. Describe what happens to plantlets in stage 2 of micropropagation.
16. What is acclimatization and why do plants need to be acclimatized?
17. What are three benefi ts of tissue culture and micropropagation?
18. When does somatic hybridization occur and what does it produce? What does this mean
for plant breeding?
19. What are some skills needed by a micropropagation lab technician and what are some of
the duties for this job?
20. How is cryopreservation being used to foster preservation of plant material and species
at the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP)?
Thinking Critically
1. A rare plant is nearing extinction in your state due to loss of habitat. What approach
would you suggest to solve or prevent this plant catastrophe?
2. You work in a facility that practices micropropagation. Recently, your business has been
attacked by the news media for using water for irrigation during a drought. What could
your business do in the future to lessen consumption of water for plants, leaving more
for drinking water for people?