Final answer:
A xenograft is a transplant from another animal species. This type of graft is subject to rejection by the immune system, but genetic modifications in donor animals are being explored to reduce such risks. Grafting is also used in agriculture to combine traits of different plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
A xenograft is a graft taken from another animal species. This type of graft involves transplanting organs or tissues between different species, such as from animals to humans. Transplants between different species come with the added challenge of preventing transplant rejection, as the recipient's immune system is likely to recognize the donor tissue as foreign and attack it. Appropriate matching of major histocompatibility complex markers, including human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), is crucial to prevent this immune response.
Given the shortage of human organs for transplantation, alternative approaches, such as genetic modification of donor animals, are being researched. This involves altering the genetic makeup of animals, like pigs, to make their organs less likely to be rejected by the human immune system.
In addition to medical applications, grafting is also applied in agriculture, particularly in the reproduction of plants. By combining parts of different plants, such as stem (scion) and roots (stock), advantageous traits can be merged into a single plant, which is beneficial for crops like wine grapes.