Model organism

A model organism is a species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the model organism will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. This is possible because fundamental biological principles such as metabolic, regulatory, and developmental pathways, and the genes that code for them, are conserved through evolution.

Related Topics:
Species - Biological - Phenomena - Metabolic - Developmental - Gene - Evolution

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There are many model organisms. The first model organism for molecular biology was probably the bacterium Escherichia coli which is common in the human digestive system (and usually beneficial -- the dangerous ' is a rare strain). This also led to a study of many bacteriophages, particularly phage lambda.

Related Topics:
Molecular biology - Escherichia coli - Bacteriophage

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In eukaryotes, several yeasts, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae ("baker's" or "budding" yeast), have been widely studied, largely because they are quick and easy to grow. The cell cycle in a simple yeast is very similar to the cell cycle in humans, and regulated by homologous proteins. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster was studied, again because it was easy to grow for a multicellular organism. The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is studied because it has very defined development patterns and can be rapidly assayed for abnormalities.

Related Topics:
Eukaryotes - Saccharomyces cerevisiae - Cell cycle - Yeast - Human - Homologous - Drosophila melanogaster - Roundworm - Caenorhabditis elegans

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When researchers look for an organism to use in their studies, they look for several traits. Common among these are size, generation time, accessibility, manipulation, genetics, conservation of mechanisms, and potential economic benefit. As comparative molecular biology has become more common, some researchers have sought model organisms that represent assorted lineages of life.

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