Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

2
A group of cells derived from a
single ancestral cell.
3
An individual developed
from a single somatic (nongerm) cell from a par-
ent, representing an exact replica of that parent.
clone, recombinant
A clone that contains
recombinant DNA molecules.
clone bank
See 
genomic library.
cloning
The process of creating a genetically
identical copy.
cloning, cell
The process of producing a group
of cells (clones), all genetically identical, from a
single ancestral cell.
cloning, DNA
The use of DNA manipulation pro-
cedures to produce multiple copies of a single gene
or segment of DNA.
cloning, therapeutic
See 
therapeutic cloning.
Clostridium difficile
A bacterium that is one of
the most common causes of infection of the colon in
the US. Patients taking antibiotics are at risk of
becoming infected with C. difficile as antibiotics can
disrupt the normal bacteria of the bowel, allowing
C. difficile to become established in the colon. In
some people, a toxin produced by C. difficile causes
diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe inflammation of
the colon (colitis), fever, an elevated white blood
cell count, vomiting, and dehydration. In severely
affected patients, the inner lining of the colon
becomes severely inflamed (pseudomembranous
colitis) with the potential to perforate.
Clostridium perfringens
A bacterium that is
the most common cause of gas gangrene, a lethal
infection of soft tissue, especially muscle. C. per-
fringens bacteria are toxin- and gas-producing bac-
teria. Before the introduction of antibiotics, a
significant percentage of battlefield injuries were
complicated by gas gangrene. C. perfringens also
causes food poisoning and a fulminant form of
bowel disease called necrotizing colitis. Formerly
known as C. welchii.