Question

The diagram shows the cloning of an animal. Which of the following options will be most closely related to the mitochondrial DNA of the cloned animal?

• A. Nuclear DNA of animal 1
• B. Nuclear DNA of animal 2
• C. Mitochondrial DNA of animal 1
• D. Mitochondrial DNA of animal 2
• E. Mitochondrial DNA of animal 3

Answer 1

The correct option is D Mitochondrial DNA of animal 2

Mitochondrial DNA follows cytoplasmic inheritance while nuclear genes that follow the Mendelian, biparental inheritance. This means that these genes are transmitted with cytoplasm. Egg cell contributes to most of the cytoplasm of the zygote. Since nucleus of an egg cell is removed, the mother animal 2 would contribute cytoplasm and mitochondrial DNA to the progeny. Animal 3 is the surrogate mother that serves to carry the embryo till birth but does not contribute DNA to it. Thus, the correct answer is option D.