Question

Define tissue culture. Describe disease-free plants.

Answer 1

Tissue culture is a method of biological research in which fragments of tissue from an animal or plant are transferred to an artificial environment in which they can continue to survive and function. The cultured tissue may consist of a single cell, a population of cells, or a whole or part of an organ. Cells in culture may multiply; change size, form, or function; exhibit specialised activity (muscle cells, for example, may contract); or interact with other cells.

Disease-free plants:
A number of pathogens such as fungi, bacteria and viruses cause many diseases in plants which result in decrease in crop yield. Breeding of crop plants for developing high yielding and disease resistant varieties is the cheapest and most effective method. It not only helps in enhancing the food production but reduces the dependence on use of chemical pesticides. It has been found that the resistance to diseases which are caused by pests can be genetically. The disease causing genes can be eliminated from susceptible varieties through plant breeding technique.