Cloning in Science

Definition of Clones

Purpose: To make many copies of a particular plant quickly.
Cuttings Method:
- Shoots are cut from the parent plant.
- Ends of shoots are dipped in hormone rooting powder and placed into soil.
- Hormone encourages growth of roots, producing a new plant identical to the original.
- Relies on plant stem cells that can differentiate into various cells and tissues.
Tissue Culture (Micropropagation):
- Used when hundreds of plants are needed from a small piece of tissue.
- Cells from the parent plant are placed on nutrient jelly using antiseptic techniques to avoid contamination.
- Cells differentiate and form new plants.

Embryo Stem Cells: Only these cells can differentiate into all types of adult cells.
Embryo Cloning:
- Used to clone animals like cows for desired traits.
- Artificial insemination followed by the division of embryos into separate embryos.
- Each embryo placed into surrogate cows.
- Calves are clones of each other but not clones of the mother due to the genetic contribution from the bull.
Adult Cell Cloning:
- Example: Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal cloned in 1996.
- Involves three adults:
  - An unfertilized egg cell is taken from a female, and its nucleus is removed.
  - A body cell (e.g., skin cell) from another adult has its nucleus inserted into the egg cell.
  - An electric shock stimulates division, forming an embryo with the same DNA as the donor body cell.
  - Embryo is placed into a surrogate female for development.
- Creates a clone of the adult that provided the body cell.

Controversial technology, especially regarding human cloning.
Ethical questions:
- Destruction of embryos in the cloning process?
- Would cloned humans have the same rights?

Note: This summary is based on a video discussing cloning techniques. For more information, watch the video or check additional resources.