Arrange the steps in correct order for somatic hybridization.
(A). Isolated protoplasts are fused together
(B). Isolate the protoplasts from a single cell of different plants
(C). Digest the cell wall to isolate the protoplasts
(D). Hybrid protoplasts grown to form new plants
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (B), (C), (A), (D)
(B) Isolate the protoplasts from a single cell of different plants — first. Single cells are first taken from two different plants, each with a useful character.
(C) Digest the cell wall to isolate the protoplasts — second. A plant cell has a rigid wall. The wall is digested with enzymes, which leaves a naked protoplast that can fuse with another.
(A) Isolated protoplasts are fused together — third. The protoplasts of the two plants are joined. This gives a hybrid protoplast that carries the characters of both plants.
(D) Hybrid protoplasts grown to form new plants — last. The hybrid protoplast is grown in a culture medium into a whole new plant, the somatic hybrid. The pomato, made from tomato and potato, is an example.
NCERT Extract:
Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture – “… Scientists have even isolated single cells from plants and after digesting their cell walls have been able to isolate naked protoplasts (surrounded by plasma membranes). Isolated protoplasts from two different varieties of plants – each having a desirable character – can be fused to get hybrid protoplasts, which can be further grown to form a new plant. These hybrids are called somatic hybrids while the process is called somatic hybridisation.”