Q.9 Hydrated synthetic seeds which are produced by ion exchange reaction involve mixing the somatic embryos in a solution of
- (A) sodium alginate and dropping it in a solution of calcium nitrate
- (B) calcium alginate and dropping it in a solution of sodium nitrate
- (C) calcium alginate and dropping it in a solution of ammonium nitrate
- (D) mannitol and dropping it in a solution of sodium nitrate
Hydrated synthetic seeds are produced by encapsulating somatic embryos in calcium alginate beads via ion exchange between sodium alginate and calcium ions. This SEO-optimized article answers the MCQ: Hydrated synthetic seeds which are produced by ion exchange reaction involve mixing the somatic embryos in a solution of (A) sodium alginate and dropping it in a solution of calcium nitrate, (B) calcium alginate and dropping it in a solution of sodium nitrate, (C) calcium alginate and dropping it in a solution of ammonium nitrate, (D) mannitol and dropping it in a solution of sodium nitrate—key for biotechnology and plant tissue culture students.
Correct Answer: Option (A) Sodium Alginate and Calcium Nitrate
Somatic embryos mixed in sodium alginate (2-4% w/v) form a viscous solution; droplets ion-exchange in calcium nitrate (50-100 mM), precipitating water-insoluble calcium alginate beads that protect embryos during storage and germination.
This hydrated matrix maintains embryo viability for months, unlike desiccated seeds, enabling germplasm exchange and clonal propagation in bioengineering.
Explanation of All Options
Ion exchange chemistry dictates gel formation; incorrect options fail gelation.
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(A) Sodium alginate + calcium nitrate: Correct. Na⁺ exchanges with Ca²⁺, forming cross-linked alginate gel beads around embryos.
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(B) Calcium alginate + sodium nitrate: Incorrect. Calcium alginate is already gelled; dropping into NaNO₃ yields no reaction or embryo protection.
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(C) Calcium alginate + ammonium nitrate: Incorrect. Similar issue—no ion exchange for new gel; NH₄⁺ doesn’t cross-link alginate.
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(D) Mannitol + sodium nitrate: Incorrect. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol for osmoprotection, not gelling; no polymer matrix forms.
Option Matrix Solution Cross-linking Solution Gel Formation? Correct/Incorrect (A) Sodium alginate Sodium alginate Calcium nitrate Yes (Ca-alginate) Correct (B) Calcium alginate Calcium alginate Sodium nitrate No Incorrect (C) Calcium alginate Calcium alginate Ammonium nitrate No Incorrect (D) Mannitol Mannitol Sodium nitrate No Incorrect Applications in Plant Biotechnology
Synthetic seeds enhance somatic embryogenesis efficiency, linking to your mammalian cell culture and genetic engineering interests—adaptable for microbial encapsulation and fermentation-derived bioproducts.
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