Question: 165: Which of the following methods is not commonly used for introducing foreign DNA into the plant cell?
(1) Agrobacterium mediated transformation
(2) Gene gun
(3) ‘Disarmed pathogen’ vectors
(4) Bacteriophages
Answer: Option (4)
Explanation:
Agrobacterium mediated transformation is a widely used method in plant genetic engineering where Agrobacterium tumefaciens transfers foreign DNA into the plant genome.
The gene gun method introduces foreign DNA by bombarding plant cells with DNA-coated metal particles.
‘Disarmed pathogen’ vectors are modified pathogens that can deliver desired genes into plant cells without causing disease.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are not used to introduce foreign DNA into plant cells.
Therefore, bacteriophages are not commonly used for introducing foreign DNA into plant cells.