5.1.5

Cloning

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Cloning

Clones are genetically identical individuals (copies), produced naturally by asexual reproduction. However, clones can also be made artificially. We can clone:

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Plants

  • Plants can be cloned using cuttings or tissue culture.
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Animals

  • Animals can be cloned using embryo transplants and adult cell cloning.

Cloning Plants

Plants can be cloned in two main ways:

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Cuttings

  • Good parent plants are used by gardeners as a source of cuttings.
  • To take a cutting, a branch is cut off from the parent plant. Hormones are then used to encourage the roots to grow and the cutting is then planted.
  • Planting cuttings produce clones of the parent plant.
  • This allows a large number of plants with favourable characteristics to be produced quickly and cheaply.
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Tissue culture

  • Small groups of cells are extracted (taken) from a plant and placed in a growth medium (such as a petri dish with plant food in).
  • Division of these cells will eventually result in the formation of a clone of the parent plant.
  • The advantages of this technique are that it is quick, space-efficient and time-independent.
  • This technique is important for commercial use in nurseries and the preservation of rare species.

Jump to other topics

1Principles of Science I

1.1Structure & Bonding

1.2Properties of Substances

1.3Cell Structure & Function

1.4Cell Specialisation

1.5Tissue Structure & Function

1.6Working with Waves

1.7Waves in Communication

2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3Science Investigation Skills

4Principles of Science II

4.1Extracting Elements

4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3Organic Chemistry

4.4Energy Changes in Industry

4.5The Circulatory System

4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7Urinary System

4.8Cell Transport

4.9Thermal Physics

4.10Materials

4.11Fluids

5Contemporary Issues in Science

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