Activity Watch this video about cloning endangered animals, and then answer the following questions.

Part A
What are the pros and cons of cloning in regard to the conservation of endangered species?

Part B
Does this solution eliminate the problem of declining genetic diversity in certain endangered species?

Part C
You overhear a group of people talking about how they support the cloning of endangered species. They believe that the genome of these cloned populations will never change, no matter how many generations of offspring they produce. Do you agree with this? Explain your answer with reasons.

Part D
The video explained that science hasn’t yet evolved to bring back extinct species such as the mammoth. If we developed this technology, would you support it? Explain your answer.

A- Cloning can theoretically increase the population of endangered organisms by creating a new organism. However, cloning doesn’t address the problem of their declining habitat. Part B   No, because the organisms created are genetic clones of each other. part C Genetic mutations can always occur, even in cloned organisms. So, genomes of cloned populations can change as well. part D This technology wouldn’t be helpful, especially for species that have been extinct for a long period of time. Their habitats have changed, and now new organisms live there. Reintroducing extinct species into the world would disrupt other organisms currently living in these habitats.

Explanation:

step 1: nitrogen fixation- conversion of atmospheric no₂ into forms useful to plants by lightning, bacteria, and cyanobacteria.

step 2: nitrification-process of converting ammonia to nitrite or nitrate.

step 3: assimilation-plant roots absorb new form of nitrogen.

step 4: ammonification-conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonia by bacteria involved in decomposition.

step 5: denitrification-bacteria turns the decomposed matter back into n₂o, which is released into atmosphere; repeat cycle.