Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is a cloning technique where the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred into an enucleated egg cell. This method was pivotal in cloning Dolly the sheep, as it allowed the use of a differentiated adult cell, demonstrating that adult cells could revert to a pluripotent state and develop into a complete organism.
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Introduction to Cell Division
Differentiation and Reprogramming
Differentiation refers to the process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific function. In the context of cloning, reprogramming is the ability to revert a differentiated adult cell back to a state where it can develop into any cell type. Wilmut's work showed that adult cells could be reprogrammed to support embryonic development, which was crucial for the success of cloning.
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Cell Culture Techniques
Cell culture techniques involve growing cells under controlled conditions, typically outside their natural environment. Wilmut improved these techniques to ensure that the donor cells were healthy and viable for the cloning process. This included optimizing the conditions for the somatic cells to maintain their integrity and functionality before being used in SCNT.
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