DNA, Genes and Adult cell cloning

DNA

• DNA is the material inside the nucleus cells, carrying genetic information

• DNA molecules carry the genetic code that determines a person’s characteristics e.g. hair colour

• DNA is unique to every individual• Every living cell contains DNA

Chromosomes• They are found in the nucleus• The human cell nucleus contains 23 pairs of

chromosomes or 46 chromosomes• They are in pairs, as one is from the mother and one

is from the father• Chromosomes carry genes. • Each one can carry several thousand genes

Genes • A gene is a short section of the DNA chain• Different genes control the development of different

characteristics in an organism

• Genes can be inherited from parents• Many genes are needed to carry all the genetic

information for a whole organism

Adult cell cloning method1. Take a skin cell from the animal and

remove the nucleus from the cell.

2. Take an egg cell from a donor.

3. Remove the nucleus from the egg cell.

4. Insert the skin cell nucleus into the empty egg cell.

5. Give the egg an electric shock, to make it divide. It will then form an embryo with the same genes as the original animal.

6. Put the embryo into a surrogate mother.

7. The embryo will develop into an clone of the original animal.