Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a biotechnology technique used to clone animals, such as in the conservation of endangered species. In one project, a diploid nucleus from a somatic cell of a male northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) was transplanted into an enucleated oocyte of a female southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). The resulting embryo was successfully implanted into a surrogate female southern white rhinoceros.
Which of the following statements correctly describes the genetic origin of the resulting cloned offspring?
The nuclear DNA is identical to that of the somatic cell donor, and all mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the surrogate female.
The nuclear DNA is identical to that of the somatic cell donor, but the mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the oocyte donor.
The nuclear DNA is a recombinant mixture of both the somatic cell donor and the oocyte donor, while the mitochondrial DNA is from the somatic cell donor.
The nuclear DNA is identical to that of the oocyte donor, and the mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the surrogate female.
39 exam-style questions on OCR A A Level Biology Cloning and biotechnology. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.