Define the term "clone" in a biological context.

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In a biological context, the term "clone" specifically refers to a genetically identical copy of an organism or cell. Cloning involves creating an organism that has the same genetic material as the original; this means that the clone carries the same DNA and, therefore, the same genetic traits and characteristics. This process can occur naturally, as in the case of identical twins, or artificially through various techniques, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer.

The ability to produce clones is significant in many fields, including agriculture and medicine, as it can be used for the propagation of desirable traits and for research purposes. For example, cloning allows for the replication of genetically modified organisms, which can be beneficial in agriculture for crop improvement.

The other options do not accurately describe cloning. The notion of a genetically modified organism refers to the intentional alteration of an organism's DNA for a specific purpose, which is different from the concept of cloning. A randomly mutated organism suggests changes that occur without any directed input, which does not align with the precise and intentional nature of cloning. Additionally, producing an organism from hybridization involves the combination of genetic material from two different organisms, leading to offspring that may exhibit traits from both parents, rather than a direct genetic copy of one original organism.

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