Question

PEG is used in protoplast culture as
A. Solidifying agent.
B. Alkylating agent.
C. Mutagen.
D. Fusogen.

Answer 1

Protoplast is referred to the entire cell, except cell wall this term is given by Hanstein in 1880, protoplast is generated by striping of the cell wall of plant, bacteria or fungal cell with enzyme action. Protoplast culture is said to be a naked cell that means a cell without a cell wall.

Complete answer: PEG is polyethylene glycol which is a polyether compound that has many applications such as pharmaceuticals in the formation of medicine. It is also known as polyethylene oxide (PEO).
PEG is used in protoplast fusion mainly induced fusion, in which two protoplasts are fused by the help of fusion inducing agent called fusogens, in which both protoplast treat with fusogen treatment that form hybrid protoplast, an example of fusogens:- PEG Polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.
Apart from PEG agent use in protoplast fusion, which is used in induced fusion, there are two more methods used in the protoplast fusion process.
Spontaneous fusion:- in this fusion process homokaryocytes are formed, it is a natural process and fused protoplast contains several numbers of nuclei, it does not regenerate into the whole plant.
Mechanical fusion:- In this fusion method, two protoplasts are fused by some mechanical method forcefully in an enzyme solution and it may show some chance of damage to the protoplast.
Hence, the correct option is D.

Note: PEG is a synthetic fusion agent that shows different applications, such as its use as a laxative, use in gas chromatography, used as a precipitant for plasmid DNA isolation. PEG is used in many skin cream, toothpaste, and antifoaming agents in food and drinks. It is used as the main ingredient in personal lubricants.