Agricultural scientists have successfully created a strain of transgenic maize (Zea mays) that expresses a foreign gene conferring resistance to severe drought stress.
Define what is meant by the term transgenic organism.
Explain the advantages of using micropropagation (tissue culture) to produce large numbers of these drought-resistant maize plants rather than growing them from seeds.
During the development phase, Escherichia coli bacteria are cultured in a laboratory to replicate the recombinant plasmid containing the drought-resistance gene.
Suggest two safety precautions that must be taken when culturing bacteria in a school or college laboratory to prevent the growth or spread of potential human pathogens.
