A Level Exam  >  A Level Notes  >  Biology A-Level  >  Cloning (Old NCERT)

Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level PDF Download

Introduction

  • Clone is the exact carbon copy or copies produced by a single parent (mother or father) by non-sexual methods and are indentical to their parent genetically and morphologically. Clone is a greek word which means twig (Klon=twig). As all the branches of a tree are similar in morphology and genetical characteristics, in the same way clones are also similar to one another.
  • Cloning is the process of producing many identical organisms (clone), generally used to produce new plants with similar characteristics. 
  • Microbes produce clones through asexual reproduction. In higher animals, clones are produced by nuclear transplantation technique in which the nucleus from a somatic cell is transferred into an unfertilized enucleated egg. 
  • The world's most famous sheep 'Dolly' was a clone produced by this method.

Dolly the SheepDolly the Sheep

  • Many plant species show vegetative reproduction. In these plants, the clones produced by a twig (detached shoot) are similar in their genotype as well as in phenotype (except environmental variations).
  • Scientists have been much curious to apply this characteristics of plants on animals also to conserve the desired genotypes of some rare animals by making their clones. In higher animal, showing sexual reproduction, a zygote is formed after fertilization of the egg by speromatozoan. 
  • Zygote differs from its parents in genotype. It was revealed by the scientists through several experiments that only the egg and/or zygote has the potential to produce a whole individual from a single cell.J.B. Gurdon(1969) of Oxford University applied this fact while performing an experiment on frog. He destroyed the nucleus of an unfertilized egg of frog by treating with U.V rays and transferred the nucleus of intestinal epithelial cell of tadpole into the egg cell . 
  • In this experiment a few of the many transplanted eggs could develop into tadpoles. These developed tadpoles were identical in genotype and phenotype to their parents. This nuclear transplantation technique devised by Gurdon is still being used in cloning paractice in some modified manner. 

Question for Cloning (Old NCERT)
Try yourself:
What is cloning?
View Solution

Types of Cloning

Cloning is an extensive technique, which is divided into following types, on the basis of the experimental material used -

(1) Gene cloning (2) Microbial cloning (3) Cell cloning (4) Plant cloning and (5) Animal cloning

Animal Cloning

Embryonic cell in animals, are deprived of their totipotency by the time they enter into gastrula stage. So animal cloning is some what more difficult than plant cloning. 

On the basis of aims and end products animal cloning is of two types:

(i) Reproductive
(ii) Therapeutic

A clone of the whole animal is prepared in reproductive cloning. The techniques which are used in such cloning include blastomere separation, nuclear transplantation and the Honolulu technique.

This technique can be used to conserve and increase the number of those animals which are threatened to be extinct in the near future.
In nuclear transplantation technique, nucleus is removed from the egg obtained from the female. After then the nucleus of the desired cell (2n) is transferred into the enucleated egg cell which is then allowed to develop into an embryo in suitable conditions. The developing embryo is the clone of the donor cell from which nucleus was obtained for transplantation.

In Honolulu technique ( 1998-Teruhiko wakayama - cloned mice) there is no fusion of the donor and recipient cells or its nucleus. Instead of ,nucleus from the donor cell which is in G0 or G1, stage is substituted into enucleated egg cell (culture medium or chemical both is used in place of electric shock to stimulate development).

Therapeutic cloning technique may prove to be very useful in the field of medical science, particularly when there is a need for the transplantation to replace some damaged and diseased organ or tissue by a healthy organ from a suitable donor. In such condition, if the cells from the patient himself are taken and cultured to form desired organ. The organs developed in such manner( organ cloning) will be easily acceptable by the patient, and there will be no possibility of its rejection as often occurs otherwise.

A number of diseases like will be no possibility of its rejection as often occurs otherwise . A number of diseases like parkinsonia, alzheimer, diabetes and diseases related with kidneys will possibly be cured in future by the application of cloning technique. "Dolly" sheep was produced by using nuclear transfer technique by Dr. lan wilmut and his collegues at Roslin Institute of Scotland in 1997.

They used somatic cells from udder (mammary glands) for forming this clone. One udder cell with its nucleus intact was selected because this nucleus carried the mother's genetic information.

Meanwhile, and unfertilized egg cell was taken from a different sheep. Its nucleus was sucked out and an enucleated egg cell was obtained. After then the udder cell nucleus was fused with the enucleated egg cell under electrical stimulation. Now this egg cell had the mother's nucleus. At last the fused egg was implanted into the uterus of surrogate mother, other than the egg donor where it grew into a lamb. Thus the Dolly was born, as a genetically identical copy of its mother

Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level

                      Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level

 

Advantages of Cloning 

1. This technique can be used to improve the breeds of live-stock used in agriculture.

2. Cloning is helpful for providing many useful substances and chemicals required for human body, and also in the cloning of such animals which can be used as a source of organs for transplantation purpose in medical practices.

3. British scientists have been successful in obtaining alpha antitrypsin from sheep for curing an incurable disease emphysema and clotting factor- ix for curing haemophilia. It has been possible by the use of genetic engineering.

4. Many incurable diseases which are not curable so far, may be cured effectively in near future by applying the processes relating with cloning and genetic engineering.

5. Cloning is useful to increase the number of individuals of those species which are at the edge of extinction, thus helpful in conservation of biodiversity.

At present, the issue of cloning has been a matter of discussion and disputes among the scientists and the sociologists. Many questions are being raised with regards to the ethical, moral, and social aspects of cloning.

Doubts have also been there about the health and ageing of clones and the misuse of cloning.

Cloning has important role in treatment of serious and non-curable diseases, a view that is favoured by most scientists, however there is no agreement on the issue of human cloning.

Old NCERT Syllabus

A brief introductory history of cloning is given in table.

In addition to the fact depicted in table attempts are continuously in progress in this field. In December, 2001 (report published in February, 2002) scientists at University, Texas, successfully produced the first cloned domestic pet named as copy cat (C.C). Further, in Aug. 2005 Woo-Sukhwang of South Korea produced the clone of an Afganian hound (Domestic dog used for hunting).

 

An introductory story of cloning
YearName of the ScientistBrief account of the experiment (s)Result
1950sBriggs & KingNuclear transplantation from embryo to egg in frog.Tadpoles produced but died before adulthood.
1960sJohn B. GurdonNuclear transplantation from cells of skin, liver, kidney into the egg in frog.Tadpoles produced but died before adulthood.
1970sIllmenseNuclear transplantation from embryo to egg in DrosophilaLarvae produced but died before adulthood
1984Mcgrath & SolterNuclear transplantation from embryo to egg in mouse A few mice born but none lived to adulthood.
1993Hall & StillmanAtrificial splitting of an embryo of human into two identical twinsFirst artificially twinned embryos developed but abnormal
March,
1995
Roslin Instituteteam,ScotlandNuclear transplantation from embryo to egg in sheepMegan and Moragn sheep born normally
Feb,
1997
Roslin Institute team, ScotlandNuclear transplantation udder cell to egg in sheep"Dolly" sheep born normally
March,
1997
Don Wolf and Coworkers, OregonNuclear transplantation from embryo to egg in monkeyTwo monkeys "Neti"and "Ditto" born normally
Dec.
1997
Roslin Institute team, ScotlandNuclear transplantation from embryo to egg in sheepMolly and Polly sheep born normally
1998University of HawaiNuclear transplantation from adult cell to egg in mice50 mice born normally
1999Kato and CoworkersNuclear transplantation from adult cell to egg in cow"George and Charlie" cows born normally
2000Well and his AssociatedNuclear transplantation from skin cell to egg in cowMany cows born normally
2001KabotaNuclear transplantation from skin fibroblast culture to egg in cowSix calves born

 

An Italian scientist Dr. S. Antenori is trying hard to produce human clone. It has triggred serious discussions and debates at global level, focussing on the medical and ethical issues.

The document Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level is a part of the A Level Course Biology A-Level.
All you need of A Level at this link: A Level
280 videos|166 docs|147 tests

Top Courses for A Level

FAQs on Cloning (Old NCERT) - Biology A-Level - A Level

1. What is cloning?
Ans. Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of a living organism or its genetic material. This can be done through various techniques, such as reproductive cloning or therapeutic cloning.
2. What are the different types of cloning?
Ans. There are three main types of cloning: reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning, and gene cloning. Reproductive cloning involves creating a genetically identical copy of an entire organism. Therapeutic cloning is focused on creating stem cells for medical research and treatment. Gene cloning is the process of creating multiple copies of a specific gene.
3. What are the advantages of cloning?
Ans. Cloning offers several potential advantages, such as advancements in medical research and treatment, conservation of endangered species, and increased agricultural productivity. It can also help in the production of genetically modified organisms for various purposes.
4. What are some disputes related to cloning?
Ans. Cloning is a highly controversial topic, and there are several disputes surrounding it. Some ethical concerns are raised regarding the potential misuse of cloning technology, the implications for individuality and identity, and the potential for harm to the cloned organisms. There are also debates about the level of government regulation and oversight required for cloning research and applications.
5. Is cloning widely accepted and practiced?
Ans. The acceptance and practice of cloning vary across countries and cultures. While some countries have banned or restricted certain types of cloning, others have embraced it for scientific and medical purposes. The ethical and moral considerations associated with cloning make it a topic of ongoing debate and discussion globally.
280 videos|166 docs|147 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for A Level exam

Top Courses for A Level

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

Important questions

,

Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level

,

Summary

,

mock tests for examination

,

past year papers

,

Semester Notes

,

Objective type Questions

,

Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level

,

study material

,

Viva Questions

,

ppt

,

pdf

,

Exam

,

practice quizzes

,

video lectures

,

Extra Questions

,

Free

,

Sample Paper

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

MCQs

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Cloning (Old NCERT) | Biology A-Level - A Level

;