Multiple choice

Which one of the following is NOT a protoplast fusion inducing agent?

  1. Inactivated Sendai virus

  2. Ca2+ at alkaline pH

  3. Polyethylene glycol

  4. Colchicine
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Colchicine is a microtubule-disrupting alkaloid used for chromosome doubling in plants, not for protoplast fusion. The other three options are well-established fusogenic agents: inactivated Sendai virus (A) mediates membrane fusion, polyethylene glycol (C) induces fusion by membrane dehydration, and Ca2+ at alkaline pH (B) promotes membrane aggregation and fusion. Colchicine's mechanism involves binding tubulin and inhibiting microtubule polymerization.

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