Read the statements about gene gun method.

I. The gene gun method is also referred to as the biolistic technique.

II. In this method, cells are bombarded with high-velocity microparticles coated with DNA in plants, with gold or tungsten being commonly used.

III. Significant crop plants such as maize, rice, and wheat have been effectively transformed using the gene gun method.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

I, II and III

The correct answer is Option (4) – I, II and III

The gene gun method, also known as the biolistic technique, is a powerful tool used in genetic engineering to introduce foreign DNA into plant cells. It involves the use of small microparticles, typically made of gold or tungsten, that are coated with the desired DNA. These coated microparticles are then accelerated to high velocities and shot into the plant cells.

Upon impact, the microparticles penetrate the cell walls and membranes, allowing the coated DNA to enter the plant cells. The foreign DNA is then taken up by the plant cell's machinery and incorporated into its genome. This process allows scientists to introduce new genes or modify existing ones in the plant, giving rise to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with desired traits.

The gene gun method has been particularly successful in transforming important crop plants like maize, rice, and wheat, allowing the development of genetically modified varieties with improved characteristics such as resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental stresses, as well as enhanced nutritional content.

Overall, the gene gun method has revolutionized plant biotechnology and has opened up new possibilities for crop improvement and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.