Question

The technique of protoplast fusion was developed by

• A. Helperin and Wetherell
• B. Carlson et al
• C. White
• D. Steward

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Carlson et al

Protoplast fusion is a technique used to generate a hybrid plant by fusion of protoplasm of cells obtained from the explant of two different species. Carlson et al. in 1972 were first to develop the somatic hybrid Nicotiana species. The protoplast where extracted from the cell of two different species by treating with the lytic enzyme which digests the cell wall. The protoplast is fused in the presence of the fusogen like polyethylene glycol. The cell obtained is a hybrid with the cytoplasm from both the cell and a hybrid nucleus or it may be a cybrid where the nucleus of one parent degenerates but they have cytoplasm of both the parent cell.

So, the correct answer is option B.