What is the name of the first mammal clone (sheep)?
Dolly
Understanding the First Mammal Clone: Dolly the Sheep
The question asks for the name of the first mammal clone, which was a sheep. Cloning is a process used to create a genetically identical copy of a biological entity. Scientists have been researching cloning for many years, aiming to understand development and potentially replicate desirable traits in animals.
The History of Cloning Mammals
While cloning had been performed on other organisms before, cloning a mammal from a somatic cell was a significant scientific breakthrough. This achievement demonstrated that cells from an adult animal could be reprogrammed to create a whole new organism.
Identifying the Famous First Cloned Sheep
The first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell was a domestic sheep. This landmark event in genetic science and developmental biology captured global attention.
- The cloning was carried out by researchers at the Roslin Institute in Scotland.
- The technique used involved nuclear transfer, where the nucleus from a somatic cell (specifically, a mammary gland cell) of one sheep was transferred into an egg cell from which the nucleus had been removed.
- The reconstructed egg cell was then stimulated to divide and develop into an embryo, which was implanted into a surrogate mother sheep.
After birth, this lamb was genetically identical to the sheep that donated the somatic cell nucleus. The name given to this historic clone quickly became famous worldwide.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the provided options for the name of the first mammal clone, the sheep:
- Polly
- Dolly
- Shan
- Sheep
Based on the historical event, the name of the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell was Dolly.
Therefore, the correct option is Dolly.
| Option | Relevance to First Mammal Clone |
|---|---|
| Polly | A sheep later cloned at the Roslin Institute, but not the first. Polly was notable for being transgenic (carrying a human gene). |
| Dolly | The correct name. The first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell (a sheep). |
| Shan | Not related to the first mammal clone. |
| Sheep | This is the species, not the specific name of the first clone. |
Revision Table: Key Facts about Dolly the Sheep
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Dolly |
| Species | Domestic Sheep (Finn Dorset breed) |
| Cloned From | Adult Somatic Cell (Mammary Gland Cell) |
| Birth Date | July 5, 1996 |
| Announced | February 1997 |
| Institute | Roslin Institute, Scotland |
| Significance | First mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell |
Additional Information about Cloning
Cloning of mammals can be achieved through different methods, but the technique used to create Dolly is particularly famous:
- Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT): This is the method used for Dolly. It involves taking the nucleus from an adult somatic cell and transferring it into an enucleated egg cell. This creates a reconstructed zygote that can be developed into an embryo and implanted.
- Embryo Splitting: This is a simpler form of cloning that mimics the natural process of identical twin formation. An early embryo is manually divided into two or more parts, each of which can develop into a complete individual. The individuals are genetically identical because they originate from the same zygote.
Dolly's creation opened up new possibilities and ethical discussions in the field of genetics and reproduction.
Important Questions from Cell
The full form of DNA is:
________ is called ‘the power house of the cell’.
A Eukaryotic cell has membrane bound organelles, including a nucleus, which allow cellular processes to be carried out in _________
Which of the following is a unicellular organism?
The inbuilt variation in reproduction occurs due to sexual reproduction and errors due to:
