Genetic cloning (Paper 2 only)

Question 1

Describe the process of micropropagation (tissue culture)

Answer 1

Take small samples/scrape cells off
Sterilise with ethanol
Place into agar
Provide glucose
Add rooting powder/auxin

Question 2

What is the name of the fragments of plants first used in micropropagation?

Answer 2

Explants

Question 3

Describe how an animal is cloned

Answer 3

Nucleus from body cell of male animal
Insert this nucleus into enucleated egg cell
Fused together by electric shock
Fused cell begins to divide by mitosis
Embryo is implanted into the uterus of a surrogate sheep

Question 4

Why is micropropagation used to produce copies of plants?

Answer 4

Plants will be genetically identical
Fast method to produce many
Useful if only one GM plant is produced (no others to breed with)

Question 5

How could goats be used to produce human proteins (such as antibodies) in their milk?

Answer 5

Genetically engineer goats to produce human proteins
These goats could then be cloned to increase the population