Knowra Protoplast Protoplast A protoplast is a plant cell whose cell wall has been removed, leaving its plasma membrane around the living cell contents. It can regenerate a wall under suitable conditions.
Cell wall : A tough extracellular layer that supports and protects plant cells. Enzymes remove this layer to produce a protoplast.
Plant genetic transformation : The introduction of genetic material into plant cells to alter or study their traits. DNA can be delivered directly into wall-free cells before regenerated plants are selected.
Plant cell : A eukaryotic cell characterized by features such as a cellulose-rich wall, plastids, and a large vacuole. A protoplast begins as a plant cell, although its wall is absent.
Spheroplast : A bacterial or fungal cell with most, but not all, of its cell wall removed. Unlike a protoplast, a spheroplast retains some wall material.
Cellulase : An enzyme that breaks down cellulose, a major component of plant cell walls. Cellulase digests cellulose during enzymatic protoplast isolation.
PEG-mediated transformation : A method that uses polyethylene glycol to promote uptake of DNA by plant protoplasts. It is a common way to introduce DNA into isolated protoplasts.
Cytoplasm : The material inside a cell membrane, excluding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. It remains enclosed by the membrane in a viable protoplast.
Plant cell wall : The extracellular structure surrounding plant cells, composed chiefly of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. Its presence distinguishes an ordinary plant cell from a protoplast.
Pectinase : An enzyme that breaks down pectin, a family of polysaccharides found in plant cell walls. Pectinase helps separate cells by digesting pectin-rich wall material.
Electroporation : A technique that uses brief electric pulses to increase cell-membrane permeability. Electric pulses can facilitate DNA entry through the protoplast membrane.
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