6.4 - Cloning and biotechnology Flashcards
What are clones?
genetically identical organisms or cells.
What is cloning?
The process of producing genetically identical cells or organisms from the cells of an existing organism.
What are the advantages of natural cloning?
- if conditions for growth are good for the parent, they will also be good for the offspring.
- cloning: relatively rapid.
> Population can increase quickly to take advantage of the suitable environmental conditions. - reproduction can be carried out, even if there is only one parent & sexual reproduction is not possible.
What are the disadvantages of natural cloning?
- offspring may become overcrowded
- no genetic diversity (except that caused by mutation during DNA replication.
- population shows little variation
- selection not possible
- if environment changes to be less advantageous: while population is susceptible.
What is vegetative propagation?
The production of plant clones from non-reproductive tissues (vegetative parts) of plant e.g. roots, leaves and stems.
> usually an over-wintering organ
What are rhizomes?
Give an example of a plant using this method.
Stem structures that grow horizontally underground away from the parent plant.
> they have ‘nodes’ from which new shoots and roots can develop
BAMBOO
What are stolons (runners)?
Stem structures that grow above the ground horizontally, on the surface of the soil.
- new shoots & roots can either develops from nodes or form at the end of the stolon.
How are some stolons adapted and which plant uses this method?
Some rhizomes are adapted as over-wintering organs from which one or more new stems will grow in the spring.
STRAWBERRIES.
What are suckers?
Which plant uses this method?
Shoots that grow from sucker buds (undeveloped shoots) present on the shallow roots of a parent plant.
- may be close to base of an older stem or could be some distance away.
- original horizontal branch may die, leaving new stem as a separate individual.
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