Moss Physcomitrella Patens Lab Report

This report presents an overview to: meiosis, chromosomes, traits, genotypes, and phenotypes displayed in the evolution of fast plants. Studying how the genetic information can be passed along one generation to the following. Also, learning various techniques to determine the possible genotypes of the four Wisconsin Fast Plants provided by analyzing the offspring and observing the phenotypic variation within them. Predicting that the parent plant was heterozygous with the first generation also displaying heterogeneous characteristics of non- purple stem/ Green leaves. And discovering that the null hypothesis was rejected for the chi-square being less than 5% meaning the observed phenotypes were due by chance.

Some plants need to be pollinated by another plant, but some mutant plants are self-pollinating. These self pollinating plants would also be picked and eventually wipe out the non self-pollinating plants.

BLAST search and multiple cycle alignment of OsHsfC1b (Os01g53220) show that homologous proteins are found in other monocots such as sorghum, maize and Brachypodium, but also in the dicot Arabidopsis. In rice, OsHsfC1b shares highest similarity with OsHsfC1a, another member of the four class C HSFs identified in rice (Arvidsson et al, 2008, p. 211). Proteins hold a well preserved N-terminal DNA- binding domains that has four β-sheets and α-helices and a highly conserved oligomerization domain also known as HR-A/B domain. Putative nuclear localization signal upstream of the oligomerization domain was found in all proteins (Gupta, Palma, & Corpas, 2016). A subcellular localization study was conducted to confirm targeting of OsHsfC1b to the nucleus in Arabidopsis mesophyll cell protoplast.

Modifying plants is not a new concept. "For centuries, gardeners and farmers have been crossbreeding different species of

Gregor Johann Mendel, the father of genetics, was born in 1822. He was a priest and scientist who became famous for his work and studies on the inheritance patterns using pea plants. Gregor Mendel used pea plants known as Pisumsativum in his research where he developed two fundamental laws of genetics known today as the “Law of segregation”, and the “Law of independent assortment” (Hartl, 1992). The “Law of segregation” states that when an individual produces a gamete, the copies of a given gene separate in which each gamete receives only one copy of that gene. The phenotypic ratio in the F2 generation according to the “Law of


Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 06.01.03 Predict the outcome of crosses involving genetic variation in chloroplast genomes.
Section: 06.01
Topic: Extranuclear Inheritance: Chloroplasts

These chemical signals set off a cascade of gene activity in the A. tumefaciens which direct a series of events required for the transfer of tDNA from the plasmid into the plant’s cells through the wounds of the plant. The tDNA then moves into the nucleus of the plant cell and becomes integrated into the plant chromosome (Understanding GMOs).

Consumers who were concerned with the genetically modified tomatoes and the lack of success in sales of the company removed the Flavr Savr tomatoes from the market, but were able to influence revolutionary modern changes in genetically modified tomatoes. The demand of the Flavr Savr tomatoes was high and remained high, but the company couldn’t profit from their product and was later acquired by the Monsanto Company. However, thanks partially Calgene’s prior existence, we are now familiar with how to experiment with tomato’s genes in order to potentially benefit from them in future

Spanish moss is a vascular epiphyte that belongs to the genus known as Tillandsia. Epiphytes do not typically harm the tree species that it resides on. Epiphytes such as Spanish moss(TillansiaUaneoides) is not dependent on the tree for nutrients; however, it uses the tree for mechanical support. It produces seeds that are transported by the wind which causes it to be found in various locations; however, spanish moss may not survive living on some tree hosts and be found more frequently on certain tree species than others. This is largely due to the fact that biotic factors and abiotic factors contribute to the distribution of Spanish moss found in certain environments.

Biotechnology in agriculture is a collection of scientific techniques used to improve or modify plants and microorganisms. Simplistic examples of biotechnology are employing yeast, molds, and bacteria to create fermented foods such as milk and cheese, or crossbreeding plants in hope of improving agriculture. The benefits of biotechnology in agriculture increased over the past few decades after scientists discovered that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is interchangeable among plants, animals and other organisms, alike. This allows scientists to invent new products through both crossbreeding and a transfer of genes. Nearly any desirable trait found in nature can be transferred to a select organism. This process of transferring DNA from one to another is referred to as genetic engineering (The United States Mission to the European Union:1999).

Fedoroff’s expertise is not established through highly convoluted scientific jargon. Instead, she shows her deep understanding of plant biotechnology by explaining difficult scientific topics in conversational terms. It is unfair to say that the book is a light read, as it certainly requires concentration to grasp the difficult concepts like transposons and epigenetics. Fortunately, the book’s co-author Nancy Marie Brown helps elucidate confusion surrounding these topics. Brown has been a science writer since 1981 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in writing and a master’s degree in comparative literature from Pennsylvania State University. Since then, she has worked as a writer and editor for the sciences at her alma mater. Additionally, she is a member of the National Association of Science Writers. With the assistance of Brown’s writing ability, Fedoroff establishes her qualifications on plant biotechnology and conveys her views clearly and concisely, making Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist’s View of Genetically Modified Foods much more accessible to the public (Nancy Marie Brown).

From the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the world we live in, it is all directly or indirectly dependent on plants. Dr. Cheung sets out to understand the growth and reproductive story of the plant life cycle and has made significant progress throughout her career. The identification of FER was widely accepted among the scientific community and led to the investigation of other members of the FER-like family in search for similar processes. FER, LRE, and LLG are all apart of gene families which have led to discoveries after exploration. Similarities in Arabidopsis genes have been found in other species such as Rice, Tomato, Medicago, and Moss through collaborations with Dr. Li-Jun Ma and Dr. Dong Wang at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Once the process of pollination and mating is fully understood molecularly, the next step will be to push the boundary to the atomic level, leading to true enlightenment of this well studied phenomenon. These studies will provide the necessary knowledge and tools for the future of genetic modification in plants. While still in its infancy, the field of genetic engineering holds unprecedented potential in utilizing plants to meet the ecological, environmental, and economical challenges that lie ahead for this rapidly changing

Gregor Mendel 's mid-1800s inheritance experiments demonstrated that many traits could be bred for in a logical and controllable fashion. Beginning in 1927, radiation and chemicals were used to induce mutations in plants. Although most seeds are inactivated, some grew and exhibited favorable traits such as weather resistance and increased yields. Today, over 2,200 such mutant species are in wide-circulation, including barley (Golden Promise), cotton, rapeseed, and rice (Basmati) (Gibney 19).

After a BP or LR recombination reaction, this cassette is replaced by the gene of interest to generate the entry clone and expression clone, respectively.

Instead of transferring large blocks of genes from donor plant to recipient, small isolated blocks of genes are put into the plant chromosome through biolistics, vectors, or protoplast transformation (Horsch 1993). Biolistics is a technique that shoots the gene block into the potential host cell. In order for the process to succeed, the microscopic particles and DNA must enter the cell nuclei and combine with the plant chromosome. Biolistics is commonly used but has a slight failure risk since the breeder has little control over the destination of the gene block (Mooney & Bernardi 1990). Bacteria or viruses can also carry the gene blocks into a new cell. Common vectors in gene transfer between plants are Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes. In the soil, the bacteria will infect the plants with their own plasmid, transferring the desired gene that was placed in the bacteria's DNA. Vector gene transfer is a preferred method of transformation since this modification already occurs naturally in the environment (Rudolph & McIntire 1996). Last is protoplast transformation, which uses enzymes to dissolve the cellulose in the plant wall that leaves a protoplast. Once a specific gene block is added to the protoplast, the cell wall will re-grow into a transgenic plant.