In reproductive cloning, a new organism is produced by fusing an enucleated ovum with:
- Flower-to-flower pollination
- Routine yearly vaccination
- Cellular waste excretion
- The nucleus of a somatic cell
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: D. The nucleus of a somatic cell
1. Reproductive cloning avoids the need for a sperm.
2. It is done by fusing the nucleus of a somatic cell with an enucleated ovum.
3. A sperm is exactly what cloning avoids; red blood cells have no nucleus to donate and pollen grains belong to plant reproduction.
4. The sperm option traps students who assume normal fertilisation is involved.
_Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology Part 2, Ch 8 "Cell Biology and Biotechnology", p.103_