There are two ways to make an exact genetic copy of an organism in a lab: artificial embryo twinning and somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Let's talk about Embryo Twinning first...
Artificial Embryo Twinning:
Artificial twinning is also called embryo* cloning or embryo splitting. Identical twins can form naturally when an early embryo splits and two foetuses grow from the two. This would result in embryos: artificial twinning occurs just like that, but the embryo is split manually.
So, what really is it?
Artificial twinning is basically just a technological advancement on embryo transferring. This advancement has been used in many industries, such as the cattle industry. For example, in this process, a cow with the traits wanted by the breeder is treated with certain hormones* so that she super-ovulates, or produces many eggs at one time. The eggs are fertilized by the breeder, and then placed into other surrogate mothers.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer:
Although this way takes a different approach, it still gets you with the same result.
Okay, let's start with somatic cell, a somatic cell is any cell in the body other than the two types of reproductive cells. Next, what does the nuclear transfer part mean? So we know that a nucleus is the storage area where all the DNA is stored. Transferring is when you move something from one place to another. So, put it all together, and you now know what Somatic cell nuclear transfer is! Here's an example: for the group of scientists to make Dolly, the sheep, they had to take the SOMATIC CELL from the female sheep. Then they TRANSFERRED the NUCLEUS to a new egg cell, once it was fertilized, SHAZAM- they got a clone of Dolly!
Let's talk about Embryo Twinning first...
Artificial Embryo Twinning:
Artificial twinning is also called embryo* cloning or embryo splitting. Identical twins can form naturally when an early embryo splits and two foetuses grow from the two. This would result in embryos: artificial twinning occurs just like that, but the embryo is split manually.
So, what really is it?
Artificial twinning is basically just a technological advancement on embryo transferring. This advancement has been used in many industries, such as the cattle industry. For example, in this process, a cow with the traits wanted by the breeder is treated with certain hormones* so that she super-ovulates, or produces many eggs at one time. The eggs are fertilized by the breeder, and then placed into other surrogate mothers.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer:
Although this way takes a different approach, it still gets you with the same result.
Okay, let's start with somatic cell, a somatic cell is any cell in the body other than the two types of reproductive cells. Next, what does the nuclear transfer part mean? So we know that a nucleus is the storage area where all the DNA is stored. Transferring is when you move something from one place to another. So, put it all together, and you now know what Somatic cell nuclear transfer is! Here's an example: for the group of scientists to make Dolly, the sheep, they had to take the SOMATIC CELL from the female sheep. Then they TRANSFERRED the NUCLEUS to a new egg cell, once it was fertilized, SHAZAM- they got a clone of Dolly!
embryo- an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development
hormone- a chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs
hormone- a chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs