Cloning Flashcards
(52 cards)
cloning
the production of genetically identical individuals
vegetative propagation - strawberry plants
produce runners that grow sideways along the ground - new shoots and roots grow along the runner, runners eventually die off between plants
vegetative propagation - daffodil bulbs
leaf bases swell with stored food from photosynthesis, buds form internally to grow in next season
vegetative propagation - marram grass
rhizome - specialised horizontal stem running underground, often swollen with stored food, buds develop and form new vertical shoots which become independent plants
vegatative propagation - potato
stem tubers - tip of underground stem becomes swollen with stored food to form tuber or storage organ, buds grow on it to produce new shoots (eyes)
examples of natural cloning uses in horticulture
- splitting bulbs, removing plants from runners and rhizomes - increases plant numbers cheaply
- taking cuttings from plants and adding growth hormone powder to base to encourage growth of new roots
- this guarantees quality of the plant and is quicker
advantages natural cloning in horticulture
- guarantees quality of crop
- planting cuttings is quicker than growing from seed
disadvantages of natural cloning in horticulture
lack of genetic variation - vulnerable to disease
micropropagation uses
- making large numbers of genetically identical offspring from a single parent plant using tissue culture techniques
- used when a desirable plant : doesn’t produce seeds, doesn’t respond well to natural cloning, is rare, required to be pathogen free
process of micropropagation
- cut a small tissue sample from stem of plant to be cloned using a scalpel in sterile conditions - meristem tissue
- sterilise sample (eg. by immersing it in ethanol)
- explant is placed in sterile culture medium containing plant hormones (rooting powder) to induce root formation
- plant the cutting in a suitable growth medium
- grow the cutting in a warm, moist environment until roots are formed then the plant can be transferred elsewhere
advantages of micropropagation
- rapid production of large numbers of plants with a known genetic makeup
- disease-free plants as they’re from meristem tissue
- large numbers of seedless fruit
- growing rare plants
disadvantages of micropropagation
- monocultures - genetically identical so susceptible to same diseases
- expensive, requires skilled workers
tissue culture
- the starting step of micropropagation
1. cells removed from stem/root tip to be cloned
2. cells sterilised and grown on suitable culture medium
3. cells grow and divide into small plant
4. small plant moved into soil to grow
natural animal cloning
- invertebrates - starfish regenerate entire animals from fragments, hydra get small buds on side of body which develop into clones
- vertebrates - monozygotic twins
artificial twinning of animals (cows)
- cow with desirable trait treated with hormones so she produces more mature ova than normal
- ova fertilised naturally or by artificial insemination from a bull with desirable traits
- when cells are still totipotent, cells of the earlier embryo are split to produce several smaller embryos
- embryos are grown in the lab for a few days then implanted into different surrogate mothers
- embryos develop into foetuses and are born normally
somatic cell nuclear transfer
- nucleus removed from somatic cell of adult animal
- nucleus removed from mature ovum of a different female of same species (enucleated)
- nucleus from adult somatic cell placed in enucleated ovum and given small electric shock so they fuse and begin to divide
- embryo develops and is transferred into uterus of third animal
- new animal is clone of animal where somatic cell came from, but mitochondrial DNA came from ovum
advantages of artificial animal cloning
artificial twinning:
- high yield farming - more offspring
- enables success of male passing on desirable genes to be determined
SCNT:
- enables GM embryos to be replicated and develop to give many embryos from one procedure
- enables scientists to clone animals with desirable traits
- rare or endangered animals can be reproduced
disadvantages of artificial animal cloning
- SCNT is inefficient - can take many eggs to produce single cloned offspring
- many cloned animals fail to develop and miscarry or produced malformed offspring
- many animals produced in cloning have short lifespans
biotechnology
- applying biological organisms or enzymes to the synthesis, breakdown or transformation of materials in the service of people
- eg. cheese, bread, wine making
- eg. genetic engineering
why are microorganisms used in biotechnology?
- no welfare issues
- large range of microorganisms which carry out different chemical syntheses
- genetic engineering allows us to artificially manipulate microorganisms to carry out specific synthesis reactions
- short life cycle, rapid growth rate - huge quantities in short period of time
- nutrient requirements are simple and cheap
disadvantages of using microorganisms for indirect food production (has an effect on the food eaten rather than eating the microorganism itself)
- conditions must be ideal to grow properly and avoid contamination by unwanted bacteria
- some people have ethical issues with eating genetically engineered organisms
how are microorganisms used to directly produce food?
eg. Quorn (a single-celled protein)
- single-celled fungus grown in large fermenters using glucose syrup as food source
- microorganisms combined with egg white then compressed into meat substitutes
advantages of using microorganisms to directly produce food
- microorganisms reproduce fast
- high protein low fat
- can use waste materials, reducing costs
- can be genetically modifies to produce required protein
- not dependent on weather or breeding cycles etc. , takes place constantly, can be increased or decreased to match demand
- can be made to taste like anything
disadvantages of using microorganisms to directly produce food
- can produce toxins if not kept at correct temp
- have to be separated from nutrient broth and processed to make the food
- sterile conditions - expensive
- often involve GM organisms - ethical issues
- protein has to be purified
- little natural flavour
- consumption of high quantities of single-celled protein can cause health problems by releasing uric acid when its broken down