Northern white rhinoceroses are functionally extinct, with only two surviving females. Conservationists are attempting to use somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to resurrect the subspecies using frozen genetic material.
The passage below outlines the SCNT cloning protocol. Complete the passage by writing the most appropriate biological term in each blank.
A diploid nucleus is extracted from a preserved skin 1.1.1. ______________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}______________ of a deceased male northern white rhinoceros.
This nucleus is then fused with an enucleated 2.2.2. ______________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}______________ cell, harvested from a female southern white rhinoceros.
An electrical impulse is applied to trigger cell division by 3.3.3. ______________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}______________.
Subsequent divisions lead to the formation of a ball of cells called an 4.4.4. ______________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}______________.
Once it reaches the appropriate stage, this blastocyst is implanted into the 5.5.5. ______________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}______________ of a female southern white rhinoceros.
This recipient female will gestate the genetically unrelated calf, serving as a 6.6.6. ______________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}______________ mother.
