Definition

Noun: 1. A group of genetically identical cells or organisms derived from a single cell or individual by some kind of asexual reproduction: A clon is a collection of living entities, such as cells, plants, or animals, that are exact genetic copies of one original source, created without sexual reproduction.

Usage Notes

• The term is a less common variant spelling of the more widely used word clone. In modern scientific and general English, clone is the standard spelling.
• It is primarily used in biological and genetic contexts.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• The laboratory produced a clon of bacteria for the experiment.
• Researchers studied the clon to understand genetic stability.
• This plant is part of a clon that originated over fifty years ago.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In microbiology and botany, may appear in older or specialized literature. For example: "The culture was maintained as a pure clon."

Variants and Related Words

• Clone (n. & v.): The standard and far more common spelling for the same concept. It can also be used as a verb (e.g., ).
• Clonal (adj.): Relating to or characteristic of a clone. (e.g., , ).
• Clonality (n.): The state or condition of being a clone.

Synonyms

• Duplicate
• Replica
• Copy (in a biological context)
• Genetically identical organism

Antonyms

• Original (in the context of a unique source)
• Non-identical organism
• Sexually reproduced offspring

Noun

1. a group of genetically identical cells or organisms derived from a single cell or individual by some kind of asexual reproduction