CPSC 585
Plant Biochemical Genetics

Credit: 4 hours.


(CPSC 445) Describes the practice and uses of plant tissue culture in modern plant biology including callus, suspension, protoplasts, anther, embryo and organ culture and their use for basic and applied studies such as propagation, mutant selection, gene amplification, somaclonal variation and transformation. The plant biochemical genetics aspects encompass mutagenesis, mutant selection, mutant characterization and the use of genetic transformation to alter plant biochemistry. The mutations characterized will include photosynthesis, dwarf, viviparous, lipid, seed traits, blue fluorescent and herbicide resistant. A laboratory of three hours per week outside of the regular class time will be arranged for carrying out experimentation predominately with plant tissue culture. Prerequisite: CPSC 352 or MCB 350, or equivalent.