Cloning 101 | Plant Biology or Botany Science Fair Project Ideas

Abstract

The objective: The goal of this project is to determine whether or not cloning through fragmentation of a plant is possible. Using the data that we have o btained from the project, we are able to assume that the clones that we have created from the parent plant are indeed a clone, with the same genotypic makeup of the parent. This is because there was not any other plant around in the vicinity, and there because of the sterile and incubated environment, no foreign particles could affect the resultant clones. Creating a sterile environment for the clones was the most difficult aspect of this project.

Methods/Materials

Saintpaulia Gesneriaceae (African Violet); 10% bleach solution; 70% rubbing alcohol; 500 mL beaker; 10 mL beaker; Petri dishes; Grow light; Incubator; Timer; Indole-3-butyric acid/hormone agar growth medium; Hormone shooting medium; Gloves; Face mask; Bunsen burner; X-acto# knife; Tweezers; Glass bottles.

Results

October 22, 2004 Started cloning batches #1 and #2.
October 22 November 5, 2004 Not much change
November 8, 2004 Noticed mold growth on Batch #1.
November 12, 2004 Noticed mold growth on Batch #2.
November 15, 2004 disposed batches #1 and #2, started batches #3 and #4
November 29, 2004 Noticed mold in both #3 and #4 batches
November 30, 2004 Discarded Batches #3 and #4
December 17, 2004 Started Batch #5
December 17- February 1, 2005 No change, cells beginning to differentiate and calluses beginning to form.

Conclusions/Discussion

Based on our current data, we do not have results to prove our hypothesis true. Through our research, we have determined that it should be possible to fragment plant matter and create exact clones of the parent plant, a form of asexual reproduction. The data that we have collected so far points us in the right direction in terms of finding a DNA match between the parent plant and the clones. Because of the two cases of contamination of batches 1-4, time did not allow us to perform the DNA sequencing mapping that we had planned to prove that the parent and clone DNA#s matched, therefore we cannot tell their genotypic similarities.

The project tests to determine Cloning of plants in fragmentation.

Science Fair Project done By Allen Baclig