Plants are more rapidly manipulated by genetic engineering than animals due to

Options

A. Single somatic cell can regenerate a whole plant body
B. A group of somatic cells can regenerate a whole plant body
C. May be (a) or (b)
D. None of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Genetic Engineering**: Genetic engineering is a technique used to manipulate an organism's genome to achieve desired traits. This can involve adding or removing genes.

2. **Totipotency in Plants**: Plants have the unique ability known as totipotency, which means that a single cell can regenerate into an entire organism. This characteristic allows for easier manipulation of plant genetics because any somatic cell can potentially develop into a whole plant.

3. **Tissue Culture Technique**: In plants, tissue culture techniques can be employed to grow new plants from single cells or small groups of cells. By providing the right nutrients and conditions, these cells can develop into a complete plant.

4. **Comparison with Animals**: In contrast, animal cells typically do not exhibit totipotency. Animal cells are specialized and cannot regenerate into a whole organism from a single cell. Animals reproduce through complex reproductive processes, making genetic manipulation more challenging.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the primary reason plants can be manipulated more rapidly by genetic engineering than animals is due to the ability of single somatic cells to regenerate a whole plant body, thanks to their totipotent nature.

**Final Answer**: Plants are more rapidly manipulated by genetic engineering than animals due to the ability of single somatic cells to regenerate a whole plant body.

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