HS 301 - Exam 4 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
define micropropagation - Answers development of new plants in artificial medium under
aseptic conditions from very small portions of plants
define explant - Answers the piece of plant used for the tissue culture
define totipotent - Answers the ability of a cell to develop into or generate a new organism or
part
what can be used as an explant in tissue culture? - Answers stems, shoot tips, root tips, callus,
seeds, embryos, pollen, single cells
pretty much any part of the plant
what is the significance of Haberlandt and his contributions to tissue culture? - Answers 1902
Germany, was the first to attempt single cell culture but he failed
who were Murashige and Skoog and what is their significance? - Answers 1948 Wisconsin,
discovered hormonal control of shoot and root regeneration (basically figured out that auxin
makes roots and cytokinin makes shoots)
developed principles that all micropropagation depends on
their media is still one of the most commonly used
who was Morel and what is his significance? - Answers 1960 France, accomplished
micropropagation through shoot tip culture
discovered that Cymbidium orchid shoots turn into masses of protocorms and this is still how
they are propagated commercially today
what was Knudsen's contribution to tissue culture? - Answers in 1925 he was the first to
complete the commercial application of aseptic culture with orchids
why do we perform micropropagation? - Answers rapid mass production of clones
pathogen control
why would we want to mass produce plants by tissue culture? - Answers it is useful for:
, - species that multiply slowly by division
- new commercial cultivars
- increasing and maintaining pathogen-tested source materials
explain how there is an exponential increase in numbers with micropropagation - Answers
begins with 1 explant in culture
during the multiplication stage transfers are occurring at 2-4 week intervals
this occurs consistently to increase numbers of plants
what are some species that are produced commercially via micropropagation? - Answers orchid,
Boston fern, lilies, raspberries, foliage plants, hybrid rhododendrons
how does tissue culture help with pathogen control? - Answers elimination of pathogens
maintenance of pathogen-free clones
what plants are grown in tissue culture for pathogen control? - Answers strawberries and sweet
potato
what are the advantages of micropropagation? - Answers rapid increase of plants
maintenance of freedom from pathogens
permits year round scheduling
what are the disadvantages of micropropagation? - Answers expensive facilities
requires more skill
identity errors or mutations can be multiplied to large numbers quickly
why can mutations happen quicker in tissue culture? - Answers as the same plant is being
cultured over and over it is likely to develop mutations that are not visible to the eye
oftentimes labs perform periodic genetic testing to account for this
what is important for the general lab area to be free of? - Answers dust and draft
what is needed for establishing explants and making transfers? - Answers laminar flow hood
why is the flow hood so important? - Answers keeps the environment sterile when working with
tissue culture
define micropropagation - Answers development of new plants in artificial medium under
aseptic conditions from very small portions of plants
define explant - Answers the piece of plant used for the tissue culture
define totipotent - Answers the ability of a cell to develop into or generate a new organism or
part
what can be used as an explant in tissue culture? - Answers stems, shoot tips, root tips, callus,
seeds, embryos, pollen, single cells
pretty much any part of the plant
what is the significance of Haberlandt and his contributions to tissue culture? - Answers 1902
Germany, was the first to attempt single cell culture but he failed
who were Murashige and Skoog and what is their significance? - Answers 1948 Wisconsin,
discovered hormonal control of shoot and root regeneration (basically figured out that auxin
makes roots and cytokinin makes shoots)
developed principles that all micropropagation depends on
their media is still one of the most commonly used
who was Morel and what is his significance? - Answers 1960 France, accomplished
micropropagation through shoot tip culture
discovered that Cymbidium orchid shoots turn into masses of protocorms and this is still how
they are propagated commercially today
what was Knudsen's contribution to tissue culture? - Answers in 1925 he was the first to
complete the commercial application of aseptic culture with orchids
why do we perform micropropagation? - Answers rapid mass production of clones
pathogen control
why would we want to mass produce plants by tissue culture? - Answers it is useful for:
, - species that multiply slowly by division
- new commercial cultivars
- increasing and maintaining pathogen-tested source materials
explain how there is an exponential increase in numbers with micropropagation - Answers
begins with 1 explant in culture
during the multiplication stage transfers are occurring at 2-4 week intervals
this occurs consistently to increase numbers of plants
what are some species that are produced commercially via micropropagation? - Answers orchid,
Boston fern, lilies, raspberries, foliage plants, hybrid rhododendrons
how does tissue culture help with pathogen control? - Answers elimination of pathogens
maintenance of pathogen-free clones
what plants are grown in tissue culture for pathogen control? - Answers strawberries and sweet
potato
what are the advantages of micropropagation? - Answers rapid increase of plants
maintenance of freedom from pathogens
permits year round scheduling
what are the disadvantages of micropropagation? - Answers expensive facilities
requires more skill
identity errors or mutations can be multiplied to large numbers quickly
why can mutations happen quicker in tissue culture? - Answers as the same plant is being
cultured over and over it is likely to develop mutations that are not visible to the eye
oftentimes labs perform periodic genetic testing to account for this
what is important for the general lab area to be free of? - Answers dust and draft
what is needed for establishing explants and making transfers? - Answers laminar flow hood
why is the flow hood so important? - Answers keeps the environment sterile when working with
tissue culture
