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Download How are plants and animals different?
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Tokyo University Of Agriculture How are plants and animals different? • If it is hot, we can move and find a cooler place • Plants cannot move so they have to adapt to survive extreme conditions. Tokyo University Of Agriculture Plants and animals are made from cells onion Tokyo University Of Agriculture Plant cells have some special features Animal Cell Plant Cell + vacuole (water storage) + cell wall (strength) + chloroplast (f00d) Tokyo University Of Agriculture Plant and animal cells are organised DNA lives here Tokyo University Of Agriculture What is DNA? • DNA is a long thin fiber • 2 strands coil around each other into a double helix • Between the strands are bases, A C T G • To fit inside a cell it must be coiled up into a chromosome Tokyo University Of Agriculture A chromosome Tokyo University Of Agriculture DNA is organised into genes Tokyo University Of Agriculture The study of gene function = genetics Tokyo University Of Agriculture What is my job at Nodai? Tokyo University Of Agriculture I study a plant called Physcomitrella patens I am a moss! Tokyo University Of Agriculture Some facts about moss • Mosses are small • They are some of the oldest plants on earth • Very tough • Grow where bigger plants cannot • Easy to take care of in the lab Tokyo University Of Agriculture People working in the lab Tokyo University Of Agriculture Moss is easy to grow Tokyo University Of Agriculture Moss is easy to grow Tokyo University Of Agriculture I study proteins called AGPs and their role in the cell wall Tokyo University Of Agriculture AGPs are involved in plant growth Root growth Pollen tube extension Apoptosis Somatic embryogenesis Tokyo University Of Agriculture Microscopy Tokyo University Of Agriculture Microscopy Tokyo University Of Agriculture Microscopy Tokyo University Of Agriculture We use antibodies to detect AGPs in plants Tokyo University Of Agriculture Antibodies let us visualise the structure of the plant Tokyo University Of Agriculture To understand the role of the protein, we must investigate the gene Tokyo University Of Agriculture Genetic engineering Insert into vector Modify the gene “Make more protein” = Over-express “Make no protein” = Knockout “Make it visible” = Fluorescent tag Code for 1 protein Put back into plant Cut! Tokyo University Of Agriculture Analyse transgenic plants Overexpression Knockout More of the gene = bigger plants Tokyo University Of Agriculture Why is genetic engineering useful? • Make stronger plants (no need for chemical fertilizers) • Make plants disease resistant • Increase crop yield (cheaper food) • Add more nutrition to the plant: e.g. golden rice Increased β carotene Prevents blindness Tokyo University Of Agriculture Summary • Plants play an important role in our daily lives • You can become a scientist if you study hard • My job has enabled me to travel to France, Germany, Italy, USA, Czech Republic and Japan! • Maybe you can get a job in Manchester! Tokyo University Of Agriculture Thank you for listening! My research is funded by JSPS Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
