Q.47 Which of the following is/are considered as biotic elicitor(s) in plant cell culture?
(A) Cellulase
(B) Chitin
(C) Chitosan
(D) Mercuric chloride

Biotic elicitors trigger defense responses in plant cell cultures to boost secondary metabolite production. In this multiple-choice question, options B, C (Chitin and Chitosan) qualify as biotic elicitors.​

Correct Answer

B and C: Chitin and Chitosan serve as biotic elicitors derived from fungal cell walls, mimicking pathogen attack to activate plant defense pathways like phytoalexin synthesis.​

Option Breakdown

(A) Cellulase

Cellulase functions as an enzyme that breaks down plant cell walls, often produced by pathogens, but it acts primarily as an abiotic elicitor through physical degradation rather than direct biological signaling.​

(B) Chitin

Chitin, a key polysaccharide in fungal and insect cell walls, binds plant receptors to induce jasmonic acid signaling and secondary metabolite accumulation in cell cultures.​

(C) Chitosan

Chitosan, deacetylated chitin from fungal sources, elicits strong immune responses in plant tissues, enhancing production of phenolics and terpenoids at concentrations like 100 μM.​

(D) Mercuric chloride

Mercuric chloride is a toxic heavy metal compound used as an abiotic sterilant, lacking biological origin and thus not classified as a biotic elicitor.​