Clones
Clones
Clones (/kloʊnz/; from the Ancient Greek word κλών, klōn, "twig") are organisms that are exact genetic copies. Every single bit of their DNA is identical. Clones can happen naturally—identical twins are just one of many examples. Or they can be made in the lab.
Etymology
The term "clone" originates from the Ancient Greek word κλών (klōn) which translates to "twig". This refers to the process whereby a new plant can be created from a twig. This term was first used in the context of biology in the early 20th century.
Natural Cloning
Natural cloning occurs often in nature. In animal organisms, clones are formed when identical twins or triplets are born. In plant organisms, a form of cloning occurs when new plants grow from cuttings or other plant parts.
Artificial Cloning
Artificial cloning can happen in many ways. These include gene cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Gene cloning produces copies of genes or segments of DNA. Reproductive cloning produces copies of whole animals. Therapeutic cloning produces embryonic stem cells for experiments aimed at creating tissues to replace injured or diseased tissues.
Related Terms
- Gene: The basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes are made up of DNA.
- DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next.
- Stem Cells: Cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body.
- Genetic Engineering: The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Clones
- Wikipedia's article - Clones
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