AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Somatic cell cloning (cloning or nuclear transfer) is a technique in which the nucleus (DNA) of a somatic cell is transferred into an enucleated metaphase-II oocyte for the generation of a new individual, genetically identical to the somatic cell donor (Figure 1).

Detailed explanation-2: -No, somatic cell nuclear transfer is not always part of reproductive cloning. Reproductive cloning involves the transfer of a nucleus from a donor cell into a fertilized egg that has had its nucleus removed.

Detailed explanation-3: -The resulting embryo can either be used for research or the derivation of human embryonic stem cells or be brought to term. Using SCNT to produce embryonic stem cells is sometimes referred to as ‘therapeutic cloning, ’ whereas the use of SCNT to produce live human beings is ‘reproductive cloning.

Detailed explanation-4: -Regardless of the species, the SCNT procedure involves three major steps: enucleation, injection/fusion, and activation. After removing the oocyte nucleus, the donor cell nucleus is injected or fused with the enucleated oocytes before the reconstructed embryos are activated.

Detailed explanation-5: -The technique consists of taking an enucleated oocyte (egg cell) and implanting a donor nucleus from a somatic (body) cell. It is used in both therapeutic and reproductive cloning.