Nuclear Transplantation/Cloning - Anatomy & Physiology

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• Commonly used in mice to propagate required characteristics.
• Embryonic stem cells are used as a source of totipotent nuclei, which are capable of dividing into a range of new cells.
• These cells are fused with pre-ovulatory oocytes which have had their own haploid nucleus removed using electrofusion.
• Cells are artificially stimulated to the second meiotic division and begin embryonic development.
• The cell source ,capable of replication in culture, can be stored by freezing and is therefore 'immortal' and able to produce many identical individuals.
• Cloned individuals have a high percentage of developmental abnormalities.
  • Often associated with Arthritis and Joint problems.