Question

Differentiate between electroporation and gene gun.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Feature	Electroporation	Gene Gun
1.	Principle	Uses electrical pulses to create temporary pores in cell membranes to allow DNA uptake.	Uses high-velocity microprojectiles coated with DNA to penetrate cells and deliver DNA.
2.	Mechanism	Electrical pulses cause reversible permeabilization of the membrane.	Physical delivery of DNA-coated heavy metal particles (e.g., tungsten, gold) into cells.
3.	Type of DNA delivery	DNA diffuses into cells through pores created by electric pulse.	DNA coated on micro-particles which penetrate cells forcibly.
4.	Types of cells used	Primarily used with protoplasts or cells that can withstand electric pulses; used in plants and microbes.	Used for intact cells or tissues, especially in plants (e.g., cereals) difficult to transform by other methods.
5.	Damage to cells	Minimal if controlled properly, cells can recover.	More physical damage possible due to bombardment, but reaches deep cell layers.
6.	Application examples	Transformation in tobacco, petunia, maize, wheat, rice.	Transformation in cereal crops like maize, soybean, tobacco, etc.