Which of the following describes the term 'clone' in biological terms?

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The term 'clone' in biological terms refers specifically to an organism that is genetically identical to its parent. This means that a clone is created through a process called asexual reproduction, where the resulting offspring inherits all of its genetic material from a single parent organism. In the case of natural cloning, this can happen in organisms like bacteria, where cells divide to produce identical offspring. In some plants and animals, cloning can occur through methods like vegetative reproduction or parthenogenesis, where no fertilization occurs. Thus, a clone shares all of its DNA with the parent organism, leading to identical genetic traits.

Other options do not accurately define cloning; for instance, a genetically modified organism refers to an organism whose DNA has been altered using biotechnology, which can introduce new traits rather than cloning the original. An organism produced from two parents indicates sexual reproduction, which results in genetic variation rather than cloning. Lastly, a unique genetic combination highlights genetic diversity that arises from the combination of DNA from two parents during sexual reproduction, again contrasting with the concept of a clone.

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