9B: Cloning

Question 1

What is somatic cell nuclear transfer?

Answer 1

involves 2 different cells - donated egg cell and donating somatic cell

Question 2

Steps of somatic cell nuclear transfer?

Answer 2

1. Enucleation - removal of nucleus from egg cell
2. Extraction - extraction of somatic cell nucleus
3. Insertion - somatic cell nucleus inserted into enucleated egg cell
4. Development - cell begin to divide + embryo implanted into surrogate mother (clone of somatic cell)

Question 3

Complication/ethical considerations of SCNT?

Answer 3

• Animal suffering
• Premature aging
• Human cloning

Question 4

Explain embryo splitting.

Answer 4

After fertilization of egg cell, cell begins to divide (6-8 cells). If embryo is split during early stages of development, each section can develop an individual (genetically identical offspring but different to parents).
Split embryos are implanted into surrogate mother where development can continue.

Question 5

What is special about cells when during the stage when they can be split?

Answer 5

They are totipotent - meaning they are capable of developing into viable embryos with specialized cells.