Biology: Cloning, Plant Alkaloids, and Elicitors Quiz

Clones and Plant Propagation

• A clone is a group of organisms produced by asexual method and are genetically similar
• Meristem culture is the best suited method for production of virus-free plants

Alkaloids and Terpenes

• Menthol, nicotine, and quinine are plant-derived alkaloids
• Codeine is not a plant-derived alkaloid
• Terpenes have been classified into five types based on the number of five-carbon isoprene units
• Vincristine and vinblastine are two alkaloids derived from Catharanthus roseus

Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds

• Limonene is a cyclic monoterpene derived from the peel of many plant species, such as citrus fruits
• The main subclasses of flavonoids are flavonols, flavones, flavanones, and anthocyanidins
• Isoflavones have antimutagenic and antibacterial activity and are largely produced by the members of the legume family, such as soybean
• Common flavonols include quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin
• Phenolic compounds are potential antioxidants

Medicinal Uses of Alkaloids

• Quinine is effectively used for the treatment of malaria
• Ephedrine is used effectively for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
• Homoharringtonine is used effectively for the treatment of cancer
• Morphine is one of the most important alkaloids derived from the poppy plant and is used as an analgesic and anesthetic
• Piperine is an alkaloid present in fruits of Piper longum and Piper officinarum

Genetic Engineering and Plant Transformation

• NPT II gene is a marker gene that confers resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin
• hpt is also called the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene
• The dhfr gene produces an enzyme dihydrofolate reductase which is inhibited by the antimetabolite methotrexate
• Bialophos, phosphinothricin, and glufosinate are commonly used herbicides
• The pat/bar genes code for phosphinothricin acetyltransferase which can convert the herbicides into non-herbicidal forms
• The herbicide glyphosate blocks the activity of the enzyme enolpyruvylshikimate phosphate synthase (EPSPS)
• Plant transformation can be assessed by the expression of reporter genes, screenable genes, and scoreable genes