Key Stage 4
Meaning
Cloning is when a genetically identical copy of an organism is made.
About Cloning
- Cloning is useful for making copies of an organism that has desirable characteristics.
- Cloning causes a reduction in the biodiversity of a population.
- Cloning plants has been done for thousands of years and is easy to perform. A single plant can be cut into separate pieces known as 'clippings', which can then be planted. This new plant is now a clone of the first.
- Cloning animals is much more difficult. Natural clones already exist - identical twins. However, cloning an adult animal is requires several steps:
- Remove the nucleus from a cell in the animal to be cloned.
- Take the ovum of another animal, of the same species, and remove then discard the nucleus of that ovum.
- Insert the nucleus of the original animal into the ovum and apply a small electrical current.
- Implant the ovum into the uterus of another animal.
The new organism that is born will be a clone of the original.