Model organism

E. coli at 10000x

Drosophila melanogaster - side view

S. cerevisiae under DIC microscopy

Lab mice

A Model organism is a non-human 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. Model organisms are widely used to research human disease when human experimentation would be unfeasible or unethical.

Overview

Model organisms are drawn from all three domains of life, as well as viruses. The most widely researched and best understood model organisms are those that are easy to breed and quick to reproduce, though there are exceptions to these criteria. In cell biology, the most commonly used model organism is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or Baker's yeast. In genetics, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and the house mouse (Mus musculus) are popular model organisms.

Use in Research

Model organisms are used in the study of human disease. They are used to understand disease processes and the effect of therapeutic interventions. There are several types of model organisms, including but not limited to, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), the zebrafish (Danio rerio), the roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans), and the house mouse (Mus musculus).

History

The concept of a model organism was first proposed by August Weismann. He argued that an organism could serve as a model for understanding the biology of a second organism. Weismann's concept was built upon by Thomas Hunt Morgan. Morgan was the first to use fruit flies as a model organism in genetics and earned a Nobel Prize for his work in 1933.

See Also

• Genetics
• Cell biology
• August Weismann
• Thomas Hunt Morgan

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