fragmentation
The process of breaking up gametophyte chunks into smaller, homogenous pieces. This is done at certain times to promote better growth as well as before painting gametophytes.
Lesson 5
Gametophyte Culture Maintenance
Back to: Building a Gametophyte Seed Bank
Other Culture Maintenance (Grinding and Scraping)
Cultures will need other maintenance outside of changing the media. This includes scraping and grinding. Scraping a culture is necessary when the gametophytes are stuck on the sides and bottom of their container. Dislodging the tufts of gametophytes allows for more biomass growth to fit in one container. Grinding a culture is necessary when the tufts of gametophytes get too big. Grinding breaks up the cells and promotes growth. There are many different grinding techniques such as blenders, pestles and microcentrifuge tubes, and tissue homogenizers.
You may need to grind a culture for these reasons:
- The culture is too big for its container and is ready to be split into new containers or moved to a bigger container
- You are preparing gametophyte biomass for painting onto spools
- The tufts of gametophytes have reached greater than 3mm in diameter
- You are scaling your cultures up quickly
Regardless of the reason you are grinding your culture, the protocol is the same, except for the instrument you use for the grinding.
Definition
GreenWave Resource
Protocol for Grinding Gametophyte Biomass
Grinding Gametophytes
Gametophytes need to be ground for maintenance reasons or before painting.
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Protocol for Scraping Gametophyte Biomass