For the experimental research, Dr. Ian Wilmut used the nucleus of the udder cell from a six-year-old Finn Dorset white sheep and preserved the diploid nucleus (2n). He took an ovum from the ovary o...

Question

For the experimental research, Dr. Ian Wilmut used the nucleus of the udder cell from a six-year-old Finn Dorset white sheep and preserved the diploid nucleus (2n). He took an ovum from the ovary of another sheep. The haploid ovum was removed. The diploid nucleus of the udder cell was injected into the cytoplasm of the enucleated ovum. Then the diploid nucleus ovum was implanted into the uterus of the surrogate mother sheep. The diploid ovum developed into a young one, named “Dolly”.
i) Why did Wilmut select the udder cell?

ii) Define the terms haploid and diploid.

Philoid · Accepted Answer

(i) Wilmut selects the udder cell because the nucleus of udder cell contains a diploid number(2n) of chromosomes with all the genes.

(ii) Haploid

i. The cell/organism that has half the usual number of chromosomes or a single set of chromosomes. (n)

ii. Gamete cells are haploid in humans.

iii. Meiotic cell division results in haploid cells.

Diploid

i. The cell/organism that has double the number of chromosomes or two sets of chromosomes. (2n)

ii. Somatic cells are diploid.

iii. Mitotic cell division result in diploid cells.