AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS Meaning and
Definition
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Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a gram-negative soil bacterium that is known for its ability to cause crown gall disease in plants. Crown gall disease is a plant tumor formed due to the insertion of a specific segment of the bacterium's DNA into the plant's genome. This genetic transfer occurs through a mechanism known as horizontal gene transfer.
The bacterium possesses a plasmid called Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid, which is responsible for the transfer of the genetic material into the plant cells. This plasmid contains several oncogenes, which encode for the production of hormones involved in plant growth and development, ultimately leading to the formation of tumors.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens can infect a wide range of plants, including many economically important crops such as grapes, potatoes, and roses. It enters the plant through wounds or natural openings, gaining access to the plant's inner tissues.
Despite its ability to cause disease, Agrobacterium tumefaciens has also become an invaluable tool in genetic engineering and biotechnology. Scientists exploit the bacterium's natural genetic transfer mechanism to introduce desired genes into plants, allowing for the production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This process is known as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and has been used in the development of insect-resistant crops, herbicide-tolerant crops, and other genetically modified varieties with improved traits.
Overall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens plays a dual role in the plant world, being a notorious pathogen causing crown gall disease while also serving as a valuable tool in the field of genetic engineering.
Common Misspellings for AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS
- zgrobacterium tumefaciens
- sgrobacterium tumefaciens
- wgrobacterium tumefaciens
- qgrobacterium tumefaciens
- afrobacterium tumefaciens
- avrobacterium tumefaciens
- abrobacterium tumefaciens
- ahrobacterium tumefaciens
- ayrobacterium tumefaciens
- atrobacterium tumefaciens
- ageobacterium tumefaciens
- agdobacterium tumefaciens
- agfobacterium tumefaciens
- agtobacterium tumefaciens
- ag5obacterium tumefaciens
- ag4obacterium tumefaciens
- agribacterium tumefaciens
- agrkbacterium tumefaciens
- agrlbacterium tumefaciens
Etymology of AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS
The word "Agrobacterium" is derived from the Greek word "agros" (αγρός), meaning field, and the Latin word "bacterium", meaning small rod or staff. "Tumefaciens" is Latin in origin and is derived from the word "tumefacere", meaning to cause swelling. Therefore, the phrase "Agrobacterium tumefaciens" can be translated as "field bacterium causing swelling". This name was given to the bacterium because it was originally discovered in the 19th century as the cause of a plant disease known as crown gall, which results in the formation of tumor-like swelling or galls on the plant's stems and roots.
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