Plants are more readily manipulated by genetic engineering than are animals because a. plant genes do not contain introns. b. more vectors are available for transferring recombinant DNA into plant cells. c. a somatic plant cell can often give rise to a complete plant. d. plant cells have larger nuclei.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key terms in the question: genetic engineering, manipulated, plant cells, animal cells.
2. Understand the role of somatic cells in plants: Somatic plant cells have the ability to differentiate into a complete plant, a process known as totipotency.
3. Evaluate the options in relation to genetic engineering: Option c (a somatic plant cell can often give rise to a complete plant) directly relates to the ease of manipulating plants genetically because individual cells can be modified and then grown into a new plant, expressing the desired traits.
4. Compare with other options: Options a, b, and d do not directly influence the ease of manipulation as much as the totipotency of plant cells does.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is c because the ability of a somatic plant cell to give rise to a complete plant simplifies the process of genetic engineering in plants, making them more readily manipulated than animals.

Key Concepts

Genetic Engineering in Plants

Genetic engineering involves modifying an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits. In plants, this process is often facilitated by techniques such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or biolistics, which allow for the introduction of new genes. The ability to regenerate whole plants from single somatic cells makes plants particularly amenable to genetic manipulation.

Plant Cell Totipotency

Totipotency refers to the ability of a single cell to develop into a complete organism. In plants, somatic cells can often regenerate into whole plants, allowing for the incorporation of genetic modifications at the cellular level. This characteristic is a key reason why plants are more easily manipulated through genetic engineering compared to animals.

Vectors in Genetic Engineering

Vectors are tools used to deliver genetic material into target cells. In plant genetic engineering, various vectors, such as plasmids and viral vectors, are employed to transfer recombinant DNA into plant cells. The availability of multiple effective vectors enhances the efficiency of genetic modifications in plants, making the process more straightforward than in animal cells.