Plant tissue culture media

Plant tissue culture media

Media used in plant tissue culture are composed of several components: salts, vitamins, amino acids, growth regulators, sugars, agar or Gelrite™ and water. All these compounds fulfil one or more functions in the in vitro growth of plants. The minerals present in planttissue culture media can be used by the plant cell as building blocks for the synthesis of organic molecules, or as catalysators in enzymatic reactions. The ions of the dissolved salts play an important role as counterion in the transport of ionized molecules by the plant, in the osmotic regulation, and in maintaining the electrochemical potential of the plant. Nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus are components of proteins and nucleic acids. Magnesium and many micro-elements form essential parts of enzymes and cell organelles, and are therefore important in the catalyzation of various reactions. Calcium and boric acid are mainly found in the cell wall and especially calcium has an important task in the stabilization of biomembranes. Potassium and chloride, on the contrary, are important in the osmotic regulation, for maintenance of the electrochemical potential, and for the activation of a large number of enzymes.

Sort by : Name | Popular