Dolly the Sheep, who was born on July 5, 1996, is generally regarded as the oldest clone. She was developed by a group of researchers at the Edinburgh, Scotland-based Roslin Institute under the direction of Dr. Ian Wilmut. Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, meaning that rather than an embryo, the cell came from a fully matured animal. Dolly’s birth was a significant advance in the area of cloning and provided a platform for additional investigation.
The DNA-containing nucleus of an animal cell is transferred into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed during the cloning process. The embryo is then placed into a surrogate mother after being encouraged to divide and grow into an egg. In Dolly’s case, the cell originated from a six-year-old Finn Dorset sheep’s mammary gland.
Due to a developing lung condition, Dolly lived for six and a half years before being put to sleep. She opened the door for additional cloning research and contributed to our understanding of cell formation and aging, thus her legacy endures.
Regarding the questions that follow, RSS refers to “Radar, Sonar, and Satellite” on ships. These are the three main navigation and communication systems used by ships. Sonar uses sound waves to find objects, whereas radar uses radio signals. Satellites are used for positioning and communication.
Grey paint is used on battleships for a variety of reasons. One explanation is that the enemy can’t easily see the ship since grey is a neutral color that blends in with the sky and sea. Gray paint is less reflective than other colors, which lowers the ship’s radar visibility, which is another factor.
The abbreviation HMHS Britannic means “His Majesty’s Hospital Ship Britannic.” During World War I, the Britannic, a sister ship to the Titanic, served as a medical ship. In November 1916, a mine in the Aegean Sea sank it.
Destroyers in the Navy are named for individuals who have significantly impacted the Navy or the United States. Presidents, naval heroes, and other famous individuals fall under this category. For instance, the USS John McCain is named after Senator John McCain, a former member of the Navy who served in the Vietnam War as a POW.