Broccoli is a vegetable that grows in bunches with green flower-like heads. There are many different kinds of broccoli, but the most common types have a tough outer skin and deep purple and green florets. The stems of broccoli are also edible and taste similar to the florets.
Is broccoli genetically modified?
Yes, broccoli is genetically modified. All of the common varieties are genetically engineered to help them survive the cold and heat,plant-disease, insects, and chemical treatment used to grow them.
In fact, only two kinds of broccoli are not genetically modified: one is a wild variety that has very small florets (sometimes called broccolini), and the other was created by splicing genes from several different vegetables (It was originally called rabe and belongs in a genus different from the traditional broccoli).
Broccoli is a man-made vegetable. Its seed was created by man by exposing the seed to chemicals and radiation until a genetically modified seed was born.
How was Brocolli made?
The traditional broccoli plant was first hybridized in 1845. This means that during fertilization, pollen from one plant is transferred to another plant of the same species but opposite sex. Among its many uses, hybridization can be used to create plants that are better suited to their environment.
In the late 1970s scientists identified two genes that control the synthesis of a key enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in broccoli.
These scientists created a new variety of broccoli by inserting the PPO-suppressing DNA from an endive plant into the fertilized egg of a traditional broccoli plant.
This process is called genetic engineering because new DNA was inserted into an existing organism. Other methods besides genetic engineering could have been used to accomplish this same result, but genetic engineering is much easier and faster than other methods, so it is widely used in modern agriculture.
When was broccoli invented?
Scientists began altering the genetic code of broccoli in 1979. The research was done at Station de Physiologie Végétale aux abords du Lac Cabri (SPV) and at the University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Who named Broccoli?
The vegetable received its name from the Latin word “brachium,” which means arm or branch.
Its Latin name is oleracea, and its ancestors are cabbage and cauliflower. It grows in places with cool weather, especially in the United States, where California produces most of it.
Is broccoli a real vegetable?
Yes, it is a real vegetable. Broccoli and other plants like it were created by man. The term “genetically modified” refers to the process of making a new plant, animal, or insect that is different from its natural counterpart.
Is broccoli a cabbage?
Broccoli is a species of the same family of plants as cabbage and cauliflower, but it is more closely related to turnips and Brussels sprouts. It is believed to have originated as a hybrid between wild cabbage and cabbage-like turnip.
What are some common uses for broccoli?
Since this vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin C, it is commonly eaten raw or added to salads. It is also boiled, steamed, pickled, or used in soups. It is often combined with cheese or mayonnaise to add flavor and texture to casseroles. It can also be boiled and dipped in melted butter; seasoned and served cold; or mixed into a vegetable juice blend.
How is broccoli grown?
Broccoli grows best in a temperate climate with lots of moisture, but it can also grow in areas with drier soil. It is cultivated for its edible flowering clusters, called florets. The worlds leading producers of this vegetable are the United States, China, and India.
What is the difference between broccoli and cauliflower?
Broccoli looks like a small tree topped with green flowers. Cauliflower is an entirely different species, so it has more in common with cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Both are edible, but only broccoli is rich in vitamin C and iron.