Final answer:
Tissue culture has five major uses including micropropagation, medical research for testing drugs and manufacturing vaccines, gene therapy, killing plant pests, and fermentation of foods. These applications benefit the healthcare, agriculture, and food industries by enabling the mass production of plants, rapid development of drugs, and large-scale fermentation processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tissue culture is a valuable technique used in various scientific and commercial settings. Micropropagation is one of the primary uses, where plants are propagated in sterile conditions. This method is particularly useful for multiplying rare or endangered species, producing disease-free plants, and accelerating the production of economically important species. Another application in medical research and pharmaceuticals, where cultured cells can be used to study viral infections, produce vaccines and hormones, or screen the potency of drugs. Tissue culture plays a critical role in gene therapy, where normal genes are transferred to human cells to correct genetic disorders.
Additionally, tissue cultures are utilized for the production of antibodies, interferons, vitamins, and steroids. These cultures also facilitate the study of cell metabolism for various substances. Academic and commercial laboratories often create cell lines for consistent, reproducible results in research. Cells are grown on solid supports like plastic, glass, or other materials, and manipulated in a laminar flow hood to prevent contamination, undergoing numerous cell divisions in controlled environments.
In the agricultural sector, tissue culture is a tool for killing plant pests by enabling the mass production of pest-resistant plants. Also, it aids in the large-scale fermentation processes, including the production of foods like yogurt and cheese. By enabling these applications, tissue culture has a significant impact on healthcare, agriculture, and food industries.