The term "Clone" is used to describe the offspring that are :

The correct answer is Option (2) → Morphologically and genetically identical

In asexual reproduction a single parent produces offspring that are identical to one another and exact copies of the parent.

Option (1) Morphologically identical only — Incorrect. Looking alike is not enough; clones also have the same genes.

Option (2) Morphologically and genetically identical — Correct. The term clone describes individuals that are alike in both form and genes.

Option (3) Morphologically identical but genetically different — Incorrect. Genetically different individuals are not clones; such variation comes from sexual reproduction.

Option (4) Genetically identical only — Incorrect. Clones are also alike in form, so “only” makes the option wrong.

Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 08-06-2023 (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.”