Module 5. Plant Biotchnology

Question 1

Important contributions of plant biotechnology

Answer 1

1. Increased crop yield
2. Improved crop quality
3. Reduced environmental impact
4. Disease resistance

Question 2

What is the main advantage given by BT technology?

Answer 2

Significantly reduced the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers

Question 3

Expression of this enzyme allows plants to move photosynthate more effectively and ultimately leads to the reduction in the amount of fertilizer used.

Answer 3

H+ pumping pyrophosphatase (plant proton pump)

Question 4

Facilitated the development of crop with enhanced nutritional value, flavor, and shelf life, such as fruits, and vegetables with higher levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds.

Answer 4

Improved crop quality

Question 5

Enabled the development of crops that require less water and fertilizer, and are more resistant to drought and other environmental stresses

Answer 5

Reduced environmental impact

Question 6

Plant biotechnology has enabled the development of crops that are resistant to viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases reducing the need for chemical pesticides and preventing crop losses

Answer 6

Disease resistance

Question 7

Methods of plant biotechnology

Answer 7

genetic engineering
tissue culture
marker assisted selection

Question 8

This technique produces a duplicate of plants without the need for multiple seeds

Answer 8

tissue culture

Question 9

Two techniques for plant tissue culture

Answer 9

protoplast isolation and somatic embryogenesis

Question 10

Development of an embryo from a vegetative/somatic cells

Answer 10

somatic embryogenesis

Question 11

Process of somatic embryogenesis

Answer 11

Selection of explant –> sterilization and cultivation of the selected explant in a culture medium –> formation of embryonic callus –> cell clumps form by multiplication –> formation of induced cells –> embryo differentiation –> mature embryo –> regenerated plantlets

formation of regenerated plantlets from explants can be achieved via direct shoot germination

Question 11

In this technique, DNA marker patterns can indicate if a plant has traits of interest such as resistance to a certain disease, maximum and more nutrient-rich yield, and survivability against harsh conditions.

Answer 11

Marker assisted selection (marker linked alleles/genes)

Question 12

Examples of this application of plant biotechnology include virus-resistant squash and papaya varieties that are resistant to ringspot and mosaic viruses.

Answer 12

Disease and resistance

Question 12

Genetically modified rice variety engineered to produce vitamin A to address problems of vitamin A deficiency (VAD).

Answer 12

golden rice

Question 13

Genetic modification of plants have been improved to yield more nutritious variants and even better taste.

Answer 13

Improved nutrition

Question 13

Biofuels composed of plant mass are referred to as ___ which makes use of the cellulose, non cellulosic polysaccharide, lignin, and compounds termed extractives of plants

Answer 13

lignocellulosic biomass (LB)

Question 14

Lignocellulosic crops are optimized to have a more soluble characteristic for a more efficient conversion of sugars

Answer 14

biofuel and renewable energy production

Question 15

Examples of lignocellulosic crops include

Answer 15

Miscanthus spp.
Arundo donax
Pennisetum purpureim