Given below are a few statements regarding somatic hybridization. Choose the correct statements.
(i) Protoplasts of different cells of the same plant are fused.
(ii) Protoplasts from cells of different species can be fused.
(iii) Treatment of cells with cellulase and pectinase is mandatory.
(iv) The hybrid protoplast contains characters of only one parental protoplast
(a) (i) and (iii)
(b) (i) and (ii)
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iii)
Correct answer: (d) (ii) and (iii)
Explanation:
Isolated protoplast (surrounded by plasma membranes) from two different varieties can be fused to get hybrid protoplasts which grow to form new plant. The enzyme required to obtain wall free or naked protoplasts are cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase, which dissolves cell wall. Somatic cell hybrid (protoplast hybrid) are produced with the help of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium nitrate which promote fusion. In protoplast fusion, chemo fusion and electro fusion are employed.