What term refers to the use of metal fragments coated with DNA to penetrate plant cells?

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The term that refers to the use of metal fragments coated with DNA to penetrate plant cells is biolistics. This method, also known as the particle bombardment technique, involves shooting tiny metal particles, often made of gold or tungsten, that have been coated with plasmid DNA into plant cells.

The process allows for the direct introduction of DNA into the cell's nucleus, facilitating the transformation of the plant. This technique is particularly useful in genetic engineering because it can be applied to a wide variety of plant species and is effective at delivering large DNA constructs compared to other methods.

By understanding this technique, one can appreciate its significance in genetic modification and research in plant biology, enabling advancements in crop improvement, producing plants with desired traits, and studying gene function.

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