Question

An androgenic plant can be converted into homozygous diploid plant through the application of
A. Nitrogen mustard
B. Nitrous acid
C. Colchicine
D. Acridine orange

Answer 1

Hint: Androgenic plants are formed from embryos that contain chromosomes only from the male parent. These plants are haploid plants. They can grow up to the stage of flower production, but their seeds are not viable. Androgenic plants can be converted into diploids through treatments by certain chemicals.

Complete answer: Androgenic plants are haploid plants that are formed from embryos that have the paternal chromosome. These plants grow up to the floral stage, but cannot produce viable seeds. The process by which androgenic plants are formed is known as androgenesis.
Colchicine is derived from a plant called Autumn crocus. In the process of androgenesis, colchicine is used for the diploidization of chromosomes. Colchicine functions to prevent the formation of spindle fibres in mitosis and induces the growth of diploid organisms. To achieve the diploidization plants are treated with a solution of colchicine.
Nitrogen mustard is a chemical compound containing a chloroethylamine functional group. They are not related to mustard in any way. Nitrogen mustards are extremely toxic to health and environment. They were used in chemical warfare and are the first known chemotherapeutic drugs to be used. It cannot be used to convert haploid organisms into diploid ones.
Nitrous acid is a weak acid. It is present in solutions, in gases and as salts. This acid is capable of converting amines into diazonium salts. In the atmosphere it is found in the troposphere, where Nitrous acid is formed by the reaction of water with Nitric oxide. It has no use in conversion of androgenic plants to diploid plants.
Acridine orange is used as a fluorescent dye. It is used as a cell cycle determinant. Acridine orange can withstand low pH conditions allowing the dye to penetrate into membrane bound organelles like lysosomes, mitochondria, etc. It is also used to dye DNA and RNA molecules in living cells. Acridine orange has uses in processes like flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. It cannot be used to convert androgenic plants to diploids.

Therefore, the correct option is (C).

Note: Androgenic plants are haploid plants that arise by the process of androgenesis. They contain only the male chromosomes. Such plants can be converted in homozygous diploid plants by treatment with chemicals like colchicine. Haploid plants are of great importance in plant breeding programs to improve the quality of plants.