micropropagation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (technical term)Technical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “micropropagation” mean?
A technique in plant biology involving the asexual reproduction of plants from very small plant tissues, often in a laboratory setting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A technique in plant biology involving the asexual reproduction of plants from very small plant tissues, often in a laboratory setting.
The process of rapidly multiplying stock plant material to produce a large number of progeny plants using modern tissue culture methods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both UK and US academic/technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “micropropagation” in a Sentence
The micropropagation of [plant species]to achieve micropropagation via [method]micropropagation involves [process]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “micropropagation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team aims to micropropagate this rare orchid species.
- We have successfully micropropagated the specimens.
American English
- Researchers micropropagate disease-free strawberry plants.
- The lab can micropropagate thousands of plants from a single meristem.
adverb
British English
- The plants were grown micropropagatively.
- This species reproduces most efficiently micropropagatively.
American English
- The ferns are produced micropropagatively on a large scale.
- The technique allows for plants to be multiplied micropropagatively.
adjective
British English
- The micropropagation protocol was meticulously followed.
- We need specialised micropropagation equipment.
American English
- The micropropagation lab is under strict sterile conditions.
- A standard micropropagation medium was used.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in agribusiness or biotech companies specializing in plant production.
Academic
Common in botany, plant science, horticulture, and agricultural research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context; used in laboratory manuals, research protocols, and industry reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “micropropagation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “micropropagation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “micropropagation”
- Using 'micropropagation' to refer to any small-scale gardening (e.g., taking normal cuttings).
- Misspelling as 'micro-propgation' or 'micropropogation'.
- Confusing it with 'micropropagation' in a computing context (which is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Micropropagation is a method of asexual cloning, producing genetically identical copies. It does not inherently involve altering the plant's genes, unlike genetic modification.
While techniques exist for many species, some plants (termed 'recalcitrant') are very difficult to micropropagate due to issues like contamination or poor response to growth hormones.
It means 'in glass', referring to the process being carried out in sterile laboratory conditions on a nutrient medium, often in Petri dishes or culture vessels.
Micropropagation uses extremely small tissue samples (sometimes just a few cells) under sterile, controlled lab conditions with growth media. Taking cuttings uses larger stem/root sections and is done in soil or water, usually in a non-sterile environment.
A technique in plant biology involving the asexual reproduction of plants from very small plant tissues, often in a laboratory setting.
Micropropagation is usually technical / academic in register.
Micropropagation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪkrəʊˌprɒpəˈɡeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪkroʊˌprɑːpəˈɡeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MICRO (very small) + PROPAGATION (growing new plants) = growing plants from tiny pieces.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANTS ARE FACTORIES (where micropropagation is the assembly line for identical products).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary advantage of micropropagation?