Micropropagation steps?
Reveal answer
Explant → sterilise → agar + nutrients + hormones → plantlets → compost.
Key words: explant
6(d) CLONING · RECALL
6.17B Micropropagation
15 recall questions · Biology only (B): not in Science (Double Award). Answer from memory, reveal the answer, then rate yourself. Ratings stay on this device.
Ratings are saved in this browser on this device, under a KS4 key kept separate from International A Level recall. Written answers are temporary and cleared when you leave the page. Use Reset to clear the ratings on this device.
What is an explant?
Reveal answer
A small piece of plant tissue.
Key words: small piece
Why add hormones to agar?
Reveal answer
Stimulate root and shoot growth.
Key words: root
Why sterilise explants?
Reveal answer
Kill microorganisms.
Key words: microorganisms
Why use shoot tips?
Reveal answer
Contain meristem cells.
Key words: meristem
Plants from micropropagation are…?
Reveal answer
Clones (genetically identical).
Key words: clones
What is meant by the term micropropagation?
Reveal answer
Growing many new plants from small tissue samples in sterile laboratory conditions.
Key words: micropropagation
What is meant by the term in vitro?
Reveal answer
In glass or plastic containers, outside the living organism.
Key words: in vitro
Stages of micropropagation, Take explants. What happens? Reason?
Reveal answer
What happens: Small pieces cut from shoot tips. Reason: Actively dividing cells.
Key words: Take explants
Stages of micropropagation, Sterilise. What happens? Reason?
Reveal answer
What happens: Explants and tools sterilised. Reason: Prevent microbial contamination.
Key words: Sterilise
Stages of micropropagation, Culture on medium. What happens? Reason?
Reveal answer
What happens: Agar with nutrients and hormones. Reason: Supplies glucose, minerals and growth signals.
Key words: Culture on medium
Stages of micropropagation, Transfer to compost. What happens? Reason?
Reveal answer
What happens: Plantlets grown on in greenhouse. Reason: Develop into mature plants.
Key words: Transfer to compost
True or false, and why? “Micropropagation uses seeds.”
Reveal answer
False. It uses explants, so it is asexual and seeds are not involved.
True or false, and why? “The medium is sterilised to kill the plant cells’ diseases inside.”
Reveal answer
False. Sterile technique prevents microorganisms from the surroundings growing on the medium.
True or false, and why? “Cells divide by meiosis in tissue culture.”
Reveal answer
False. Cells divide by mitosis, giving genetically identical cells.