Lecture 16 & 17: Stem Cells and Cloning II

Question 1

What is Nuclear Reprogramming?

Answer 1

A form of SCNT which change in gene expression of a specialized cell to that of an undifferentiated cell

Question 2

“Reprogramming is a genetic transformation, but an epigenetic one”

T/F

Answer 2

False, it is NOT a genetic transformation

Question 3

What are the 5 reasons for cloning animals?

Answer 3

1) Study nuclear reprogramming
2) Replacing beloved pet
3) Breeding for desired traits
4) Survival of endangered species
5) Resurrecting extinct species

Question 4

What are the Pros and Cons of cloning animals for food?

Answer 4

Pros: Breeding method that can maintain high quality and healthy livestock to supply nutritional needs and consumer demand
Cons: Cloning is inefficient process that puts health of clones and surrogates at serious risk

Question 5

What are the Pros and Cons of cloning endangered or extinct species?

Answer 5

Pros: preserve and propagate species that reproduce poorly in zoos until habitat can be restored and species can be reintroduced into wile
Cons: Narrow gene pool can make species more susceptible to disease or genetic defects

Question 6

How can cloning humans through parthenogenesis occur?

Answer 6

1) activation of non-nucleated secondary oocyte

2) fusion of enucleated egg nearby 1st polar body

Question 7

What are concerns raised by iPS cells

Answer 7

1) Process inhibits tumor-suppressing pathways and activates oncogenic ones
2) Disrupts control of gene activation or deactivation in predictable ways
3) may reduce mutations in genome

Question 8

What is Lineage Switching?

Answer 8

• Specialized cells undergoing de-differentiation to ES-cell like state and then re-differentiate to a new kind of adult (Specialized) cell

Question 9

What is Direct Conversion?

Answer 9

Converting one specialized cell type directly to another specialized cell types without going through an earlier developmental branch point