Clone = organism that is genetically identical to its parent

Example of cloning in nature: Potato tubers, Strawberry runners and Daffodils

Tissue Cultures

Plants multiply very quickly by human intervention

A number of cells are taken from the ‘parent’ plant and are grown by mitosis in growth hormones

Advantages Disadvantages

Many plants grow in a short amount of time Same genetic make-up: vulnerable to disease

Little space is needed, conditions are controlled No new characteristics can arise by chance

All new plants inherit the desired characteristics No variation: danger of reducing gene pool