Summary
Producing a genetically identical organism or cell, as with Dolly the sheep by nuclear transfer.
In depth
Reproductive cloning transfers a somatic nucleus into an enucleated egg (SCNT); Dolly in 1996. Efficiency is low and clones often have health problems. Therapeutic cloning aims to derive stem cells matched to a patient.
Reprogramming of the donor nucleus involves erasing epigenetic marks. Therapeutic cloning is limited by technical and ethical problems; iPSCs have largely replaced it.
Key idea: nuclear transfer proves differentiated cells retain all genes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cloning?
Producing a genetically identical organism or cell, as with Dolly the sheep by nuclear transfer.
Which area of biology covers Cloning, and how advanced is it?
Cloning is one of the 54 topics in Developmental Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Reprogramming and Transdifferentiation, Epigenetic Reprogramming in Embryos.
Can you give an example of Cloning?
In 2018, macaques were cloned for the first time by SCNT.
What should I learn before Cloning?
Work through the Beginner topics in Developmental Biology first, such as Fertilisation, Zygote, Embryo, then return to Cloning. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Cloning?
The closest topics to Cloning are Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Reprogramming and Transdifferentiation, Epigenetic Reprogramming in Embryos, Neural Crest Cells. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Cloning?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Cloning. To practise the whole of Developmental Biology, use the Developmental Biology quiz.
How is Cloning different from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells?
Cloning: Producing a genetically identical organism or cell, as with Dolly the sheep by nuclear transfer. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Adult cells reprogrammed to a pluripotent state with factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Cloning step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Developmental Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.