Cloning plants

• What are the two methods of cloning plants mentioned?

  Cuttings and tissue culture
• What type of reproduction produces genetically identical organisms?

  Asexual reproduction
• What are clones in the context of plants?

  Genetically identical organisms
• What is the advantage of cloning plants?

  Clones have predictable characteristics
• What is a simple method to clone a plant?

  Taking cuttings
• What is done to the end of a cutting to encourage root development?

  Dipped in rooting powder
• What does rooting powder contain?

  Plant hormones
• Why is tissue culture used?

  To produce hundreds of clones quickly
• What must the conditions be for tissue culture?

  They must be sterile
• Why must tissue culture conditions be sterile?

  To prevent microorganisms from contaminating
• How does tissue culture benefit commercial plant nurseries?

  Produces thousands of identical plants quickly
• What is a benefit of all plants being clones in gardening?

  Certainty of desired characteristics
• How is tissue culture used to preserve rare plant species?

  By cloning them in sterile conditions
• Where can students find questions on plant cloning?

  In the revision workbook
• What are the steps involved in cloning plants through cuttings?

  • Remove a small piece of the plant
  • Dip the end in rooting powder
  • Allow roots to develop
  • Resulting in a genetically identical clone
• What are the steps involved in tissue culture for cloning plants?

  1. Divide the plant into tiny pieces
  2. Incubate pieces with plant hormones
  3. Stimulate growth into fully grown clones
  4. Maintain sterile conditions to prevent contamination