Question

Which one of the following is required for a protoplast fusion?

• A. Treatment with cellulase and pectinase
• B. Electrofusion or PEG treatment
• C. Recombinant DNA technology
• D. Both A and B

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Recombinant DNA technology

The first step in protoplast fusion is treatment of cells with cellulase or pectinase that disintegrates the cell wall to yield protoplasts. This makes option A correct. The spontaneous protoplast fusion forms the heterokaryons which do not develop into whole plant and thus, induced fusion is followed. PEG (polyethylene glycol) method of protoplast fusion includes suspension of protoplast of different sources in higher molecular weight PEG that facilitates agglutination and fusion of protoplasts to form heterokaryons at high frequency and low cytotoxicity. Electrofusion refers to suspension of protoplasts in culture having electrodes and application of potential difference to line up the protoplasts between the electrodes followed by their exposure to short wave electric shock to induce their fusion. This makes option B correct. Recombinant DNA technology includes techniques for creation recombinant DNA which carries DNA from two different sources. It also includes production of line of organisms all carrying the same recombinant DNA molecule; because it grow and amplify a line of genetically identical organisms, the rDNA molecule is also amplified and therefore, the name gene cloning. This makes option D incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.