Question

What is meant by “Protoplast”?

Hint:

Protoplasts are plant cells without cell walls, useful in genetic modification and hybridization techniques.

Answer 1

A protoplast is a plant cell from which the rigid cell wall has been entirely removed via enzymatic digestion, thus preserving the plasma membrane. These spherical, unencased plant cells possess the capacity for regeneration and fusion. They find extensive application in plant genetic engineering, somatic hybridization, and tissue culture, facilitating the introduction of exogenous DNA or the amalgamation of genetic material from diverse species.