Question

Given below are a few statements regarding somatic hybridisation. Choose the correct statements. (i) Protoplasts of different cells of the same plant are fused. (ii) Protoplasts from cells of different species can be fused. (iii) Treatment of cells with cellulase and pectinase is mandatory. (iv) The hybrid protoplast contains characters of only one parental protoplast.

• A. (i) and (iii)
• B. (i) and (ii)
• C. (i) and (iv)
• D. (ii) and (iii)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

A hybrid produced by fusion of somatic cells of two varieties or species is known as somatic hybrid. The process of producing somatic hybrids is called somatic hybridisation. First, the cell wall of the plant cells are removed by digestion with a combination of pectinase and cellulase. The plant cells without cell wall are called protoplasts. The fusion of protoplasts not only involves the fusion of their cytoplasm but also their nuclei. The fused protoplasts are allowed to grow on culture medium. Soon they develop their own walls and are called somatic hybrid cells. The hybrid cells give rise to callus. Callus later differentiates into new plant with characters of two plants in one.