Cloning Plants + Animals

What is cloning?

The production of genetically identical cells or organisms.

Why are clones genetically identical?

They contain the same genetic information, apart from possible mutations.

What is tissue culture?

Growing plants from small pieces of tissue or cells under sterile conditions.

Why is tissue culture useful?

It can produce large numbers of identical plants rapidly.

What is one advantage of plant tissue culture?

It allows rare or desirable plants to be reproduced quickly.

Why must plant tissue culture be carried out under sterile conditions?

To prevent contamination by microorganisms.

What is taking cuttings?

Producing new plants from sections of a parent plant.

Why do cuttings produce clones?

New plants develop through mitotic cell division.

What is embryo cloning?

Splitting an early embryo into separate groups of cells that develop into genetically identical organisms.

What is adult cell cloning?

A technique that uses the nucleus of an adult body cell to produce a genetically similar organism.

What is somatic cell nuclear transfer?

Transferring the nucleus of a body cell into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed.

What is the first step in adult cell cloning?

Remove the nucleus from an unfertilised egg cell.

What is the next step in adult cell cloning?

Insert the nucleus from an adult body cell.

How is the reconstructed egg stimulated to divide?

By an electrical stimulus or suitable chemical treatment.

What happens after the cloned embryo begins dividing?

It is transferred into a surrogate mother for development.

Why is the clone genetically similar to the nucleus donor?

Its nuclear DNA comes from the donor cell.

Why is a clone not necessarily completely genetically identical to the nucleus donor?

The egg may contribute mitochondrial DNA, and mutations can occur.

What was Dolly the sheep?

A sheep produced through somatic cell nuclear transfer.

What is one benefit of animal cloning?

It can reproduce animals with valuable characteristics.

What is one disadvantage of animal cloning?

It can have low success rates and animal welfare concerns.

Why might cloning reduce genetic diversity?

It produces genetically similar individuals rather than new allele combinations.

What is one ethical issue associated with animal cloning?

The possibility of animal suffering or developmental abnormalities.