Methods in food production

Tissue culture  A collection of techniques used to

maintain or grow plant cells, tissues or organs.

The cells or tissues taken from the parent plants are grown in a sterile culture medium which contains the necessary nutrients and growth hormones.

Plant tissue culture is widely used to produce clones of a plant in a method known as micropropagation.

Culture medium is a liquid containing nutrients in which microorganisms or tissues are grown for scientific purposes.

Advantages of tissue culture To produce many copies of the same plants.

To produce plants anytime we want although the climates are not appropriate.

If there is a plant with partially infected tissue, it is possible to produce a new plant without infection.

Very helpful in the genetically modified organism studies.

Since the process is highly efficient, by using only one plant, it is possible to produce more than one thousand of the same plant with higher productive if its genome is changed. 

The equipments are cheaper when compared to the animal cell culture.

Disadvantages of tissue culture If large scale production is being

thinking, the costs of the equipments are very expensive.

The procedure is very variable and it depends on the type of the species so sometimes it needs trial-and-error type of experiments if there is no any review about that species.

The procedure needs special attention and diligently done observation.

There may be error in the identity of the organisms after culture.

Infection may continue thorough generations easily if possible precautions are not taken.

Decrease genetic variability. 

Process of tissue culture

ExamplesTissue culture of

pineapple

Tissue culture of banana

Process of tissue culture

Genetic engineering The manipulation of genetic

information of an organism in which a useful gene is inserted into a mentioned organism.

This technique creates a great potential in improving the quality and quantity of food to meet the needs of an increasing world population.

Advantages of Genetic Engineering Medical groups can diagnose hundreds of

human genetic disorders. Able to create new, advanced and useful

pharmaceutical products that are important. These crop plants contain genes from other

organisms to enhance growth, nutritional properties and prevents diseases.

Genetic engineered microbes help in the mining industry of minerals

Disadvantages of Genetic Engineering Gene transfer can occur between transgenic

plants and bacteria which may cause ecological problems that are irreversible.

Nutritive value for the crops grown would be affected.

Combination of virus genes into transgenic plants and mammals can recombine with other viruses thus may create new diseases.

Abnormal organ development and weakening of the immune system.

Examples

Venomous cabbage

Pollution-fighting plants

Process of genetic engineering