Question

1.) At what stage, and from where in the embryo are stem cells harvested for research purposes? How and why can these embryonic stem cells be used in repairing/replacing damaged tissue?

2.) Define the process of reproductive cloning and list the problems with reproductive cloning.

3.) What is genomic imprinting and why is it necessary for normal animal development?

Answer 1

Answer:

1.The stem cell for cell culture is taken in early embryonic stage of the blastula or gastrula from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst.

These stem cells are not yet differentiated hence they can develop into any desired tissue based on the induction given so these are select for the research purpose to grow desired tissue. When these inner mass are isolated from the embryo and certain induction is given,they develop into desired cell under laboratory condition.

2.Reproductive cloning is a process by which the nucleus is taken from a somatic cell and is implanted into the enucleated egg shell and is induced to be fertilized then it is implanted in a surrogate mother. The offsprings are generally not viable. If delivered have a very weak immunity and survive for a very small time.

3.Genomic imprinting is the process by which gradual development of an embryo takes place as there is a genetic memory of evolution. The development takes place with respect to ancestry. It is very essential for normal animal development because the ancestral characteristics must be repeated for the survival of an organism. Vital common characteristics would be lost without genomic imprinting.

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