Chapter 21, Problem 10CONQ

As described in Chapter 5, not all inherited traits are determined by nuclear genes (i.e., genes located in the cell nucleus) that are expressed during the life of an individual. In particular, maternal effect genes and mitochondrial DNA are notable exceptions. With these ideas in mind, let’s consider the cloning of a sheep (e.g., Dolly).

A. With regard to maternal effect genes, is the phenotype of such a cloned animal determined by the animal that donated the enucleated egg or by the animal that donated the somatic cell nucleus? Explain.

B. Does the cloned animal inherit extranuclear traits from the animal that donated the egg or from the animal that donated the somatic cell? Explain.

C. In what ways would you expect this cloned animal to be similar to or different from the animal that donated the somatic cell? Is it accurate to call such an animal a “clone” of the animal that donated the nucleus?