Biology - Principles of Inheritance and Variation Question with Solution | TestHub
In mutation breeding, which of the following does NOT represent chemical mutagens?
Options:
Answer:
Solution:
Mutation breeding involves inducing mutations to develop new plant varieties with desirable traits. This can be achieved using physical or chemical mutagens.
Chemical mutagens include alkylating agents like methyl methane sulphonate (MMS), base analogues, and other compounds like sodium azide and hydroxylamine that alter DNA structure.
Colchicine is an alkaloid used primarily to induce polyploidy by inhibiting spindle fiber formation during cell division. While it causes genetic changes (changes in chromosome number), it is generally classified as a polyploidizing agent rather than a typical chemical mutagen that induces point mutations or structural chromosomal aberrations.
Therefore, in the context of typical chemical mutagens used for generating variations in breeding, colchicine is not considered one.
Answer: Colchicine
