A scientist is using micropropagation (tissue culture) to produce clones of a rare orchid species. Explants (small plant tissue samples) are cut from a parent plant, sterilized, and placed on a sterile nutrient agar medium in a culture vessel.
State the type of tool used to cut the explant, and describe how aseptic technique is maintained during the transfer of the explant to the agar.
The nutrient agar medium contains mineral ions and a carbohydrate. Identify one named mineral ion and one named carbohydrate required by the explant, and explain their roles in supporting growth.
Suggest three environmental conditions or precautions that must be controlled during the incubation of the culture vessels to ensure healthy development of the plantlets.
