The leaf disc method takes advantage of the fact that nearly all plant tissue can propagate itself asexually. If you cut a plant into pieces and then meet its nutritional and cultivation requirements, each tissue piece will form a mass of undifferentiated cells called a callus or will form new roots. The leaf disc method provides scientific consistency by making all of the plant pieces identical to each other. Once prepared, the discs are immediately ready for use in your experiment.
- Sterile paper punch
- Ethanol solution (95 percent ethanol, 5 percent sterile water)
- Bleach solution (25 percent bleach, 75 percent sterile water)
- Sterile water
- Sterile paper towels
- Sterile petri dish
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Instructions
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1
Sterilize the outside of the plant leaf by first dipping it into the 95 percent ethanol for 15 seconds and then soaking it for five minutes in the bleach solution.
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2
Wash the leaf in sterile water.
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3
Place the leaf between the sterile paper towels and pat it dry.
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4
Punch as many discs out of the leaf as possible, collecting them in the sterile petri dish.
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5
Perform your experimental protocol with your leaf discs.