NCERT Class 8 Science — Chapter 3: Reproduction in animals

mcqeasy

With reference to the cloning of the sheep 'Dolly', which one of the following statements is correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AIt was produced through the fusion of sperm and egg in a test tube.
BIt involved the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism.
CIt resulted in an animal that was immune to all diseases.
DIt was the first successful cloning of an amphibian.

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Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

It involved the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism.

Explanation

Cloning is the process of producing individuals with identical or virtually identical DNA, either naturally or artificially. In biotechnology, reproductive cloning refers to the creation of an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another currently or previously existing animal. The most common technique used is Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT).

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement It involved the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism.: Correct. Cloning involves the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism. In the case of 'Dolly' the sheep (born in 1996), the nucleus from an adult somatic cell (udder cell) was transferred into an enucleated egg cell, creating a sheep genetically identical to the donor of the somatic cell.
Statement It resulted in an animal that was immune to all diseases.: Incorrect. Cloning does not confer immunity to diseases. A clone has the same genetic makeup as the donor, meaning it shares the same genetic susceptibilities. Dolly, for instance, suffered from arthritis and lung disease, similar to other sheep.
Statement It was the first successful cloning of an amphibian.: Incorrect. Dolly was not the first cloned amphibian; amphibians (such as frogs) were successfully cloned in the 1950s (e.g., by Briggs and King in 1952). Dolly’s significance lies in being the first mammal to be cloned successfully from an adult somatic cell.
Statement It was produced through the fusion of sperm and egg in a test tube.: Incorrect. The fusion of sperm and egg describes sexual reproduction or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Dolly was produced asexually via SCNT, where a somatic cell nucleus was fused with an egg cell that had its nucleus removed, without the involvement of sperm.

Key Takeaway

Dolly the Sheep was the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell using the Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) technique, resulting in an organism genetically identical to the donor.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Reproduction in animals

With reference to the development of the embryo in humans, consider the following statements: 1. The embryo gets embedded in the wall of the uterus for further development. 2. The stage where body parts like hands and eyes can be identified is called the zygote. 3. The embryo completes its full development into a baby within the fallopian tube. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

In the context of human reproduction, what is the primary distinction between a zygote and a foetus?

medium

In the context of hen reproduction, consider the following statements: 1. Hens undergo internal fertilisation. 2. The hard shell of the egg is formed after the egg is laid. 3. The embryo takes about 3 weeks to develop into a chick. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the development of a chick, which one of the following statements is correct?

easy

Consider the following statements distinguishing Viviparous and Oviparous animals: 1. Viviparous animals are those that lay eggs. 2. Oviparous animals lay eggs which later develop into young ones. 3. Frogs and hens are examples of oviparous animals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

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Correct Option

The correct option is

It involved the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement It involved the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism.: Correct. Cloning involves the production of an exact genetic copy of a living organism. In the case of 'Dolly' the sheep (born in 1996), the nucleus from an adult somatic cell (udder cell) was transferred into an enucleated egg cell, creating a sheep genetically identical to the donor of the somatic cell.
Statement It resulted in an animal that was immune to all diseases.: Incorrect. Cloning does not confer immunity to diseases. A clone has the same genetic makeup as the donor, meaning it shares the same genetic susceptibilities. Dolly, for instance, suffered from arthritis and lung disease, similar to other sheep.
Statement It was the first successful cloning of an amphibian.: Incorrect. Dolly was not the first cloned amphibian; amphibians (such as frogs) were successfully cloned in the 1950s (e.g., by Briggs and King in 1952). Dolly’s significance lies in being the first mammal to be cloned successfully from an adult somatic cell.
Statement It was produced through the fusion of sperm and egg in a test tube.: Incorrect. The fusion of sperm and egg describes sexual reproduction or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Dolly was produced asexually via SCNT, where a somatic cell nucleus was fused with an egg cell that had its nucleus removed, without the involvement of sperm.