Becker's World of the Cell (9th Edition)
Becker's World of the Cell (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780321934925
Author: Jeff Hardin, Gregory Paul Bertoni
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 25, Problem 25.1CC

Cloning can be done by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) (see Figure 20-12). Some conservation biologists have proposed using SCNT technology to preserve highly endangered animal species. What might be some of the genetic disadvantages of this approach?

Chapter 25, Problem 25.1CC, Cloning can be done by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) (see Figure 20-12). Some conservation

Figure 20-12 Dolly, the First Mammal Cloned from an Adult Cell. (a) Dolly was cloned from a serum-starved mammary (udder) cell that was fused with an egg cell from which the nucleus had been removed. (b) Dolly as an adult.

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Summary Introduction

To explain: The genetic disadvantages of cloning done by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT).

Introduction: In sexual reproduction, genetic information from both the parents is combined together to produce the offspring. A cell having two sets of chromosomes is known as diploid whereas, a cell having a single copy of chromosomes is known as haploid. Sperms are the gametes produced by males and eggs are the gamete produces by females, these gametes fuse together to form a zygote.

Explanation of Solution

An offspring which is the identical copy of the parent is known as its clone. Asexual reproduction is a method to produce clones naturally. Clones can also be produced artificially in the laboratories. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is a method of producing clones artificially. In the somatic cell, nuclear transfer nucleus from a somatic cell is implanted into an enucleated oocyte to produce an embryo. Therefore, SCNT can be used for cloning experiments. Dolly the sheep was the first clone produced by the technique.

Following are the genetic disadvantages of cloning done by SCNT to preserve highly endangered animals:

  • As the clones are identically similar to the parents, genetic diversity will decrease in producing a clone through SCNT and as a resulting susceptibility to a particular genetic disease carried by the parent will increase in the next generation.
  • Producing clones will also increase homozygosity and decrease the chances of evolution.
  • Incomplete reprogramming of the cells can also produce abnormal phenotypes.

Thus, SCNT has certain genetic disadvantages such as production of abnormal phenotypes, an increase in homozygosity, an increase in susceptibility to genetic diseases.

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Students have asked these similar questions
Unneeded genes in an adult animal cell are permanently inactivated,making it impossible for most specialized cells to turn into any othercell type. How does this arrangement save energy inside a cell? Whydoes the ability to clone an adult mammal depend on techniques forreactivating these “dormant” genes?
Woolly mammoths have been extinct for about 4,000 years, but we often find their well-preserved remains in Siberian permafrost. Research groups are now planning to use SCNT to resurrect these huge elephant-like mammals. No mammoth eggs have been recovered yet, so elephant eggs would be used instead. An elephant would also be the surrogate mother for the resulting embryo. The researchers may try a modified SCNT technique used to clone a mouse that had been dead and frozen for 16 years. Ice crystals that form during freezing break up cell membranes, so cells from the frozen mouse were in bad shape. Their DNA was transferred into donor mouse eggs, and cells from the resulting embryos were fused with undifferentiated mouse cells. Four healthy clones were born from the hybrid embryos. What are some of the pros and cons of cloning an extinct animal?
For each of the following scenarios, indicate Yes (it is cloning) or NO (it is NOT cloning)   _____________________Sperm taken from a mole goat is combined with a female’s egg in a petri dish.  The resulting embryo is implanted into the female’s uterus to develop.   _____________________A sheep embryo, composed of 17 cells, is removed from the mother’s uterus and separated into individual cells.  Each cell is allowed to multiply, creating 16 separate embryos, which are then implanted in different female sheep to develop to maturity.   _____________________A cow with many desirable traits is stimulated with hormones to produce a number of egg cells. Each of these eggs is fertilized and implanted into a surrogate mother.   _____________________In vitro fertilization   _____________________Cell nuclei from an extinct wooly mammoth are placed into enucleated cow cells.
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