NCERT Class 12 Biotechnology Biotechnology: Chapter 7 — 1 Historical Perspective
This chapter introduces Plant Tissue Culture (PTC), a vital tool in biotechnology for both research and commercial applications. PTC relies on the totipotency of plant cells, their ability to differentiate into specialized cells or regenerate into a whole plant. The historical perspective traces the development of PTC from the 19th-century observations of Schwann and Schleiden to Gottlieb Haberlandt's pioneering work in the 1890s, who is considered the 'Father of Plant Tissue Culture'. Early attempts focused on culturing differentiated cells, and his principles of continuous cell division and regeneration were later confirmed. The chapter highlights key discoveries, including the necessity of vitamins and auxins, the use of natural supplements like coconut water and corn milk, and the role of adenine and kinetin in initiating cultures and influencing morphogenesis. The development of the widely used Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium is also discussed. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of PTC's evolution and its significance in modern biotechnology.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Biotechnology |
| Book | Biotechnology |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — 1 Historical Perspective |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 521 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the definition and significance of Plant Tissue Culture (PTC).
- Explain the concept of totipotency in plant cells.
- Trace the historical development of plant tissue culture.
- Identify key scientists and their contributions to PTC.
- Recognize the importance of nutrient media and its components.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Totipotency | The ability of a plant cell to divide and differentiate into any type of specialized cell or regenerate into a whole plant. |
| Aseptic environment | A sterile environment free from microorganisms. |
| Differentiation | The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type. |
| Regenerate | To regrow or reproduce a lost or damaged part. |
| Nutrient media | A substance used to support the growth of microorganisms or cells, typically a gel or liquid. |
| Callus | An undifferentiated mass of plant cells. |
| Morphogenesis | The biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape. |
| Auxins | Plant hormones that promote cell elongation. |
| Kinetin | A plant hormone that promotes cell division. |
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Practice questions
- What is Plant Tissue Culture (PTC)? Answer: PTC is the cultivation of plant cells, tissues, or organs on synthetic media under aseptic conditions.
- Define totipotency. Answer: Totipotency is the ability of a vegetative plant cell to divide and differentiate into any type of specialized cell or regenerate into a whole plant.
- Who is considered the 'Father of Plant Tissue Culture' and why? Answer: Gottlieb Haberlandt is considered the 'Father of Plant Tissue Culture' for pioneering the field with his idea to achieve continuous cell divisions in plant cells on nutrient media and laying down principles of PTC.
- What discovery gave a significant boost to PTC? Answer: The discovery that vitamins and natural auxins are necessary for the growth of plant tissues on synthetic media gave a significant boost to PTC.
- What is the MS medium? Answer: The MS medium, developed by Murashige and Skoog, is an artificial culture medium widely used for culturing plants and initiating tissue culture from many plant species.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Plant tissue culture relies on which unique characteristic of plant cells?
Explanation: Totipotency is the ability of a plant cell to differentiate into any type of specialized cell or regenerate into a whole plant, which is fundamental to plant tissue culture.
Q2. Who is credited with pioneering the field of Plant Tissue Culture?
Explanation: Gottlieb Haberlandt, a German Botanist, pioneered the field of PTC with his ideas and principles laid down in 1902.
Q3. Which of the following was used to stimulate the development of young embryos in vitro cultures?
Explanation: Coconut water was found to stimulate the development of young embryos and was used with nutrient media for in vitro cultures.
Q4. A high level of auxin to kinetin in the nutrient media typically causes:
Explanation: It was established that a relatively high level of auxin to kinetin causes rooting in cultured plant tissues.
Q5. The MS medium, widely used in plant tissue culture, was developed by:
Explanation: The artificial culture medium developed by Murashige and Skoog (MS) is widely used for culturing plants and initiating tissue culture.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fundamental principle behind Plant Tissue Culture?
Plant Tissue Culture is based on the principle of totipotency, which is the ability of a plant cell to divide and differentiate into any type of specialized cell or regenerate into a whole plant.
Who is considered the 'Father of Plant Tissue Culture'?
Gottlieb Haberlandt is regarded as the 'Father of Plant Tissue Culture' for his pioneering work and principles laid down in the early 20th century.
What role do auxins and kinetin play in plant tissue culture?
The balance of auxins and kinetin in the nutrient media influences the morphogenic fate of cultured cells; a high auxin to kinetin ratio promotes rooting, while the reverse promotes shooting.
What is the significance of the MS medium?
The MS medium, developed by Murashige and Skoog, is a widely used and successful artificial nutrient medium for culturing a large number of plant species.
What were some early attempts in plant tissue culture?
Early attempts involved culturing isolated plant tissues like root or shoot tips and establishing continuously growing plant cell cultures on nutrient media.
How did natural supplements contribute to PTC?
Natural supplements like coconut water, corn milk, and orange juice were found to stimulate growth and were used for developing callus cultures and in vitro cultures of various plant species.
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NCERT Class 12 Biotechnology — Biotechnology — Chapter 7 — 1 Historical Perspective. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.