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In a species of mammal, two inherited phenotypes exist – spiky hair and smooth hair - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 3
In a species of mammal, two inherited phenotypes exist – spiky hair and smooth hair. A scientist set out to produce a clone of a spiky-haired male (organism M). a. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In a species of mammal, two inherited phenotypes exist – spiky hair and smooth hair - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. i. Which living cell from male M would provide the nucleus to start this procedure – one of its somatic cells or one of its sperm cells?
Answer
The nucleus required to start the cloning procedure would come from one of the somatic cells of male M. Somatic cells contain the complete set of genetic information in the form of diploid DNA, which is necessary to produce a clone that exhibits the spiky-haired phenotype.
Step 2
a. ii. Explain your answer.
Answer
Sperm cells, being haploid, only carry half the genetic information. Thus, they cannot provide the complete genetic blueprint needed for cloning. In contrast, a somatic cell has the full diploid set of chromosomes, ensuring that the cloned organism will inherit all the traits associated with the spiky-haired phenotype.
Step 3
b. i. What procedure must this egg undergo before the nucleus from organism M is added?
Answer
The egg must undergo enucleation, a procedure where the nucleus of the egg cell (from organism P) is removed. This creates a cell that is devoid of its own genetic material, allowing the insertion of the new nucleus from organism M.
Step 4
b. ii. Explain why this procedure must occur.
Answer
Enucleation is necessary to prevent any interference from the egg's original genetic material, which could potentially disrupt the cloning process. By removing the original nucleus, the egg is prepared to accept the nucleus from organism M, ensuring that the resulting cloned organism will be a true clone of male M.
Step 5
c. Which of the three organisms – M, P or R – will the cloned organism most closely resemble in terms of all other traits?
Answer
The cloned organism will most closely resemble organism M. As the nucleus comes from male M, all the inherited traits will be based on the genetic material present in that nucleus, making M the main contributor to the phenotype and genotype of the cloned organism.