What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
Contents11
- AProduction of biolarvicides
- BManufacture of biodegradable plastics
- CReproductive cloning of animals
- DProduction of organisms free of diseases
Show answer
Answer: (C) Reproductive cloning of animals
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) is the key technology used in reproductive cloning of animals.
The process works as follows:
(1) The nucleus (which contains all the DNA) is removed from a somatic cell (any body cell other than a reproductive cell) of the organism to be cloned.
(2) This nucleus is then implanted into an unfertilised egg cell (oocyte) whose own nucleus has been removed (enucleated).
(3) The reconstructed egg, now containing the DNA of the donor organism, is stimulated to divide and develop into an embryo.
(4) This embryo is then implanted into a surrogate mother to develop into a clone of the original donor.
The most famous example of SCNT is Dolly the sheep (1996), the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell.
Option (a) is wrong — biolarvicides are biological agents used to kill mosquito larvae; they are not produced by SCNT.
Option (b) is wrong — biodegradable plastics are made through biotechnology processes involving bacteria or plant-based materials, not SCNT.
Option (d) is wrong — producing disease-free organisms involves different biotechnological techniques, not specifically SCNT.
SCNT is the specific nuclear transfer technique that produced Dolly the sheep in 1996 and remains the primary method for creating genetically identical animal copies.
The question tests whether students can distinguish SCNT from other biotechnology applications like producing biolarvicides or biodegradable plastics, which use completely different biological processes.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)
Science And Technology Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer: Process, Applications & UPSC Focus
SCNT is the key technology for reproductive cloning of animals
Process involves transferring nucleus from somatic cell to enucleated egg
Dolly the sheep (1996) was first mammal cloned using SCNT
Somatic cells are any body cells except reproductive cells
What is SCNT
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is a laboratory technique where the nucleus containing DNA from a donor organism's somatic cell is transferred into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed. This creates a genetically identical copy of the donor organism.
SCNT Process Steps
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Extract Nucleus**
Remove nucleus from **somatic cell** of organism to be cloned`"]
s2["`**Prepare Egg Cell**
Remove nucleus from **unfertilized egg** (enucleation)`"]
s3["`**Nuclear Transfer**
Insert donor nucleus into **enucleated egg cell**`"]
s4["`**Stimulate Division**
Use electrical/chemical stimulation to start **embryo development**`"]
s5["`**Implantation**
Transfer embryo to **surrogate mother** for gestation`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Key Applications
Reproductive cloning - creating genetically identical animals (primary application)
Therapeutic cloning - producing embryonic stem cells for medical research
Conservation efforts - preserving endangered species through cloning
Agricultural breeding - producing livestock with desired genetic traits
Question Context
This UPSC question tests understanding of SCNT's primary application. The correct answer is reproductive cloning of animals because SCNT is specifically designed to create genetic copies of organisms, not for producing biolarvicides, biodegradable plastics, or disease-free organisms.
Trap: Confusing SCNT with general biotechnology applications like biolarvicide production
Trap: Mixing up cloning technology with biodegradable plastic manufacturing
Trap: Assuming SCNT produces disease-free organisms - it copies existing genetics including diseases
Remember: SCNT creates genetic copies, not improved organisms
Reproductive Cloning Milestones
Science And Technology
Major Reproductive Cloning Achievements & Timeline
Dolly the sheep (1996) - first mammal cloned from adult somatic cell
Cloning success rate is typically very low (1-3% of attempts)
Multiple animal species have been successfully cloned using SCNT
Notable Cloning Achievements
Animal | Year | Significance | Research Team |
|---|---|---|---|
Dolly (Sheep) | 1996 | First mammal from adult somatic cell | Roslin Institute, Scotland |
Polly (Sheep) | 1997 | First transgenic cloned mammal | Roslin Institute |
CC (Cat) | 2001 | First cloned pet animal | Texas A&M University |
Snuppy (Dog) | 2005 | First cloned dog | Seoul National University |
Technical Challenges
Low success rate - most cloned embryos fail to develop normally
Genetic abnormalities - cloned animals often have health problems
Shortened lifespan - many clones age prematurely
High cost - requires sophisticated laboratory equipment and expertise
Remember: Dolly (1996) not Polly - Dolly was the breakthrough clone
Trap: Assuming cloning produces healthier animals - opposite is often true
UPSC loves asking about first achievements - Dolly is the key example
Biotechnology Applications Overview
Science And Technology biolarvicides biodegradable plastics diseases
Major Biotechnology Applications: Beyond Cloning
Biotechnology has applications in medicine, agriculture, industry and environment
Different techniques used for different applications - not all use SCNT
Biolarvicides use bacteria/fungi to control mosquito larvae
Biotechnology Applications
Application | Technology Used | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Reproductive Cloning | SCNT | Create genetic copies | Dolly the sheep |
Biolarvicides | Microbial fermentation | Kill mosquito larvae | Bacillus thuringiensis |
Biodegradable Plastics | Bacterial/plant synthesis | Eco-friendly materials | PHA, PLA plastics |
Disease-free Organisms | Gene therapy/editing | Remove genetic defects | CRISPR applications |
Key Distinctions
SCNT specifically for creating genetic copies, not for improving organisms
Biolarvicides produced by cultivating naturally occurring microorganisms
Biodegradable plastics made using bacterial fermentation or plant-based polymers
Disease treatment requires gene therapy or genetic modification, not nuclear transfer
Don't confuse SCNT with general genetic engineering techniques
Biolarvicides ≠ cloning - they use microbial cultivation
Biodegradable plastics use bacterial fermentation, not nuclear transfer
SCNT copies existing genetics - doesn't remove diseases from organisms