The document discusses cloning and how it can be done artificially through somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cloning produces genetically identical organisms by taking the nucleus from a donor cell and transferring it into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. The first cloned animal was a sheep named Dolly, who was cloned using somatic cell nuclear transfer.
The document discusses cloning and how it can be done artificially through somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cloning produces genetically identical organisms by taking the nucleus from a donor cell and transferring it into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. The first cloned animal was a sheep named Dolly, who was cloned using somatic cell nuclear transfer.
The word "Clone" means, "Identical", identical in all
aspects. In biological point of view, two or more organisms are said to be clones of each other if they are morphologically, anatomically and more important, genetically identical. Clones have identical genome. Since the protein synthesis and metabolism is controlled by an organism's genome, clones are identical in all aspects. Cloning is done by nature in many lower level organisms like Moneran , Fungi, and in some eukaryotes. Cloning can be clearly observed during reproduction of these organisms by a process called "binary fission" in which a single cell grows and divides into two identical daughter cells. They are Clones. This can also be observed during "multiple fission" in some protozoans like:- plasmodium. Cloning can be done artificially to produce genetically identical organisms. Several methods have been developed to clone an organism. “Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)". This method has been widely used to produce a large number of identical organisms. The first fully cloned animal was a sheep named Dolly. It was clone by SCNT technology. In Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, an egg from a female is taken and its nucleus is taken out and is disposed. Then, a cell from the body of same organism is taken; it must a cell other than the reproductive cells. Any body cell other than the reproductive cell is called a Somatic Cell. The nucleus of this somatic cell is taken out carefully and it is inserted into the previously 'enucleated' cell. In sertion; it is fused with the hollow egg using electricity. This fools the egg that is has been fertilized. I will explain it with an example. Suppose we want to clone a cow named 'A'. We will first request the cow to donate an egg. Since this has donated us an egg, it is called a 'Donor. Now that we've the egg, we will carefully suck out the nucleus from it an keep the 'enucleated cell' safely. After that, we will again go to the donor cow and take a cell from some other body part. These cells are diploid. Again pull out the nucleus and this time keep the nucleus safe. Now, carefully insert this nucleus into the previously enucleated cell and apply an electric current of suitable voltage. That's it! If we've done everything perfectly, the egg (which now pretends to be a zygote) should develop into an embryo and slowly into a cow which is clone of the donor cow! Look at this picture, it describes the SCNT technology. This is how Dolly was cloned.