Cloning: Copying Life Through Asexual Reproduction

About this printable Cloning science reading passage, NGSS-aligned (Grades 5-8)

This NGSS-aligned middle school science reading passage introduces students to the concept of cloning as an example of asexual reproduction. Students will learn how organisms and scientists use cloning to create identical copies of living things, with a focus on genetic traits and the lack of variation in clones. The passage explains the significance of Dolly the sheep and how cloning is applied in agriculture and science. It aligns with MS-LS3-2 by helping students model and understand the genetic outcomes of asexual reproduction. Clear vocabulary, real-life examples, and engaging content make this an excellent resource for reading comprehension in science and genetics instruction.

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Sample passage and quiz from Cloning

Cloning is a scientific process that creates an exact copy of an organism. This process is a real-world example of asexual reproduction, where only one set of genetic material is used to produce a new organism. The result is a clone, which has the exact same DNA as the original.

In nature, some organisms clone themselves. Bacteria, certain plants, and even some animals like hydras and starfish can reproduce this way. Scientists have learned how to clone in the lab, too. In 1996, scientists in Scotland made history by cloning a sheep named Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Dolly was genetically identical to the sheep that donated the DNA used to create her.

Clones made through asexual reproduction have no genetic variation. Since they come from a single parent, their traits are exactly the same. This can be useful in farming and medicine. For example, farmers might clone a plant that produces a large amount of fruit, ensuring the same high-quality results in every crop.

However, lack of variation can be risky. If all clones have the same DNA, they might also share the same weaknesses. A single disease or environmental change could wipe out an entire population.

Cloning shows both the power and the limitations of asexual reproduction. It allows for exact copies of living things, but it also reminds us of the value of genetic diversity.

Fun Fact: Dolly the sheep lived for six years and even gave birth to six lambs, proving that cloned animals can grow and reproduce like any other!

Comprehension quiz (8 questions)

1. What is cloning?

Mixing two kinds of cells

Creating a brand-new species

Making an exact copy of an organism

Growing cells from a seed

2. Which type of reproduction does cloning use?

Sexual

Chemical

Asexual

Natural

3. What made Dolly the sheep special?

She had four legs

She was born in America

She was cloned from an adult cell

She had no DNA

4. What kind of DNA do clones have?

Half from each parent

DNA from two animals

Completely new DNA

Identical to the original

5. Why might cloning be useful in farming?

To grow bigger animals

To make exact fruit copies

To teach animals new tricks

To reduce water use

6. What is one danger of cloning?

Faster growth

Lower food supply

Shared weaknesses

Lack of sunlight

7. What is the main idea of the passage?

Animals can change shape

Cloning is natural in all life

Cloning creates identical organisms

Clones eat more than others

8. If a cloned plant is attacked by a disease, what may happen to its clones?

They may resist the disease

They might grow faster

They may all get sick

They will change DNA

Common Core standards for Cloning

MS-LS3-1

Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

MS-LS3-2

Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.