The term clone is used to describe offsprings which are:

The correct answer is Option (4) → Genetically and morphologically similar

Option (1) Genetically similar and morphologically different — Incorrect. Clones are formed from a single parent by asexual reproduction, so they are genetically identical and therefore look alike too. They are not morphologically different.

Option (2) Genetically different and morphologically similar — Incorrect. Clones come from one parent without fusion of gametes, so their genes are the same as the parent’s. They are genetically identical, not different.

Option (3) Genetically different and morphologically different — Incorrect. This is the opposite of a clone. Offspring that differ genetically and in form come from sexual reproduction; clones are identical in both.

Option (4) Genetically and morphologically similar — Correct. Offspring produced by a single parent (asexual reproduction) are exact copies of it. Such offspring, morphologically and genetically similar to each other and to the parent, are called a clone.

Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2022 on 23-08-2022 (Slot 3).

Note 2: This question is from Chapter 1, Reproduction in Organisms, of the pre-rationalised NCERT book. This chapter is not in the present NCERT book (2026-27). The extract below is from the pre-rationalised edition.

NCERT Extract (Pre-rationalised edition, Chapter 1, Reproduction in Organisms):
Sexual Reproduction – “… When two parents (opposite sex) participate in the reproductive process and also involve fusion of male and female gametes, it is called sexual reproduction. 1.1 ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION In this method, a single individual (parent) is capable of producing offspring. As a result, the offspring that are produced are not only identical to one another but are also exact copies of their parent. … The term clone is used to describe such morphologically and genetically similar individuals.”