Word: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transplantation
Definition: Somatic cell nuclear transplantation (often abbreviated as SCNT) is a scientific process where the nucleus (which contains the genetic material) from a somatic cell (any cell in the body that is not a sperm or egg cell) is moved into an egg cell (oocyte) that has had its own nucleus removed. This technique is used in cloning and research to create an organism that has the same genetic information as the original somatic cell.
Usage Instructions:
Context: You would use this term in discussions about genetics, cloning, and biotechnology.
Form: It is always used as a noun.
Example:
Advanced Usage:
In Research: Somatic cell nuclear transplantation is often discussed in the context of stem cell research and therapeutic cloning.
In Medicine: It has potential applications in regenerative medicine, where scientists aim to create tissues or organs for transplantation.
Word Variants:
Different Meaning:
Synonyms:
Cloning (though this is broader and refers to creating a genetic copy, not specifically the process of SCNT)
Nuclear transfer (a more general term that can refer to transferring nuclei in various contexts)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
Somatic cell nuclear transplantation is a complex procedure used in genetics and cloning, where the nucleus of a body cell is transferred to an egg cell to create a genetic copy of the original organism.