CBSE Class 12-science Answered

The process of fusion of protoplasts of somatic cells obtained from different varieties or species of plant on a suitable nutrient medium in vitro to develop a somatic hybrid is called somatic hybridisation.

Various steps involved in somatic hybridisation are

(i) Single cells are isolated from a single plant.

(ii) The cell walls are digested by enzymes such as pectinase and cellulose to liberate the protoplasts.

(iii) Naked protoplasts surrounded only by plasma membranes are isolated.

(iv) The isolated protoplasts are fused to obtain hybrid protoplasts under sterile conditions in a nutrient medium.

(v) The hybrid protoplasts are cultured in a suitable media to form new plants.

Two uses of somatic hybridisation are

(i) Somatic hybrids may be produced.

(ii) Healthy plants can be recovered from diseased plants.