Bioreactors in Cell Culture

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a bioreactor in cell suspension culture?

To replace culture media at all times

To permanently eliminate live cells

To increase the number of cell walls

To monitor and control environmental conditions (correct)

Which of the following features is NOT typically found in a bioreactor?

A mechanism to sterilize the culture

A built-in plant growth chamber (correct)

Adjustable air supply

Probes to monitor dissolved oxygen

Which application of bioreactors contributes to the production of foreign recombinant proteins?

Direct soil cultivation

Cell culture for hybrid plants

Protoplast fusion

Cell suspension culture (correct)

In bioreactors, which parameter is typically NOT monitored?

Humidity Signup and view all the answers

What is an important benefit of using bioreactors for the production of secondary metabolites?

They enable controlled conditions for optimal production. Signup and view all the answers

How do bioreactors maintain the aseptic nature of cell cultures?

Through a closed system that allows controlled additions Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding bioreactors is accurate?

They assist in real-time monitoring of culture conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using bioreactors compared to traditional fermentation methods?

Improved control over the growth environment Signup and view all the answers

Which type of callus is characterized by loosely associated cells and easily breaks apart?

Friable callus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus?

Embryogenic callus allows for regeneration while non-embryogenic does not Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of callus culture does rapid cell division occur?

Proliferative stage Signup and view all the answers

What process leads to the differentiation and formation of organized structures in callus culture?

Morphogenesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of using a cell suspension culture over a callus culture?

Cell suspension culture produces single cells and grows much faster Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of a cell suspension culture is characterized by the highest rate of cell division?

Exponential phase Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding pectinase to cell suspension cultures?

To enhance production of single cells and increase growth rate Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the stationary phase of a cell suspension culture?

Number and size of cells remain constant Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary advantage of using bioreactors in somatic embryogenesis?

They enable large-scale vegetative propagation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a characteristic of somatic embryos compared to zygotic embryos?

Somatic embryos are generated from somatic cells, not fertilized eggs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of callus culture in plant tissue propagation?

To facilitate the differentiation and dedifferentiation of cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes organogenesis from somatic embryogenesis?

Organogenesis involves the production of new organs rather than embryos. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is critical for the successful production of callus culture?

The ratio of auxin to cytokinin must be appropriate. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the storage of somatic embryos?

Somatic embryos are best stored in liquid nitrogen. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of plant tissue is primarily used to initiate somatic embryogenesis?

Somatic cells from any part. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of plant tissue culture, what is a characteristic of friable callus compared to compact callus?

Friable callus can be more easily subcultured. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant Tissue Culture Application

Plant tissue culture is used to apply various techniques for plant propagation, genetic improvement, and conservation.
Different applications, including suspension culture, somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis, haploid production, short-term and long-term germplasm conservation, and somaclonal variations are discussed.

Organogenesis

Organogenesis, or morphogenesis, is the production of new organs not present in the initial explant.
Tissues or organs with the capacity for this are called morphogenic or organogenic.
Adventitious shoots/roots are new organs induced to form on cultured plant tissues.

Somatic Embryogenesis

Somatic embryogenesis is the process where somatic cells differentiate into embryos.
Embryos formed by somatic cells are called somatic embryos.
Somatic embryos can arise directly from explants or indirectly after callusing.
Somatic embryos resemble zygotic embryos morphologically, are bipolar, and contain typical embryonic organs.
They are not connected to explant or callus cells by vascular tissue.
Somatic embryogenesis supports large-scale vegetative propagation and long-term storage of material via cryopreservation.

Callus Culture

Callus is a mass of unspecialized, unorganized cells produced when explants are cultured on a solid medium supplemented with auxin and cytokinin.
Callus is useful in producing variations among plantlets.
Callus cultures may be compact or friable (compact shows densely aggregated cells, friable loosely associated).
Embryogenic callus leads to plantlet regeneration via organogenesis or embryogenesis.
Different types of callus exist (embryogenic and non-embryogenic).
Callus culture involves three stages: induction (cell division), proliferative (rapid cell division), and morphogenesis (differentiation into organized structures).

Cell Suspension Culture

Friable callus isolated from explants is grown in liquid media for cell suspension culture.
Agitation (30-100 rpm) is necessary for suspension cultures.
Suspension cultures grow faster than callus cultures.
The medium often contains auxin, and pectinase can be added to improve single cell production and growth rate.
The process of initiation and maintenance of plant cell suspension culture is explained by a diagram.

Haploid Production (Methods)

Haploid cells have a single set of chromosomes, in contrast to diploid cells (2n).
Haploid plants are vital for creating homozygous lines and for using plants in breeding programs.
Methods of haploid production include androgenesis, gynogenesis, distant hybridization, and irradiation effects and chemical treatments.
Androgenesis uses anther or pollen culture, while gynogenesis uses unfertilized ovules or ovaries.
In vitro methods for haploid production include androgenesis and gynogenesis.

Comparisons of Anther and Pollen Cultures

Anther culture is easy, quick and practicable but can have unwanted diploid/aneuploid variation within the plant population from anther sources.
Pollen culture can overcome these problems.

Gynogenesis

Gynogenesis is the culture of unfertilized female gametophytes (ovules or ovaries).
Used when plants don't respond to androgenic methods or when producing albino plants is a problem.
Gynogenesis is less efficient than androgenesis in some plant families (e.g. Liliaceae, Compositae).

Germplasm Conservation

Germplasm conservation seeks to preserve genetic diversity of a specific plant or genetic stock.
Conservation methods include in situ (in the natural habitat) and ex situ (gene banks, seed banks).
In vitro germplasm conservation methods explained include cryopreservation, cold storage, and low-pressure/low-oxygen storage.
Protocols for cryopreservation of shoot tips are outlined in a diagram.

Somaclonal Variation

Somaclonal variation is genetic diversity among plants regenerated from somatic cells (in vitro).
Although these plants should be clones, some observations show they’re not.
Somaclonal variation is useful in various breeding programs for useful traits and breeding lines.
Somaclonal variation can be useful in developing new crop varieties with novel variations.
Advantages and disadvantages of somaclonal variation are highlighted.

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Description

Test your knowledge about bioreactors and their role in cell suspension culture. This quiz covers essential features, applications, and benefits of bioreactors in biological contexts, as well as differences in callus types. Perfect for students of biotechnology or related fields.