Summary
Species like E. coli, yeast, Arabidopsis, zebrafish and mice are used because they are tractable and informative.
In depth
E. coli (genetics, molecular biology), S. cerevisiae (cell cycle), C. elegans (development, ageing), Drosophila (genetics), zebrafish (vertebrate development), mouse (mammalian physiology), Arabidopsis (plants). Selection criteria: short generation time, small size, genomic tools.
Choice depends on question: genetics, development or disease. Findings in models need validation. Limitations include differences from humans.
Example: yeast cell cycle genes are conserved in humans.
Model organisms are species studied intensively to learn general biological principles because they are easy to keep and breed, have short generation times, and have genetic tools and sequenced genomes.
Examples: E. coli and bacteriophage (gene regulation), the yeast Saccharomyces (cell cycle), Arabidopsis (plant genetics), Drosophila (development and genetics), C. elegans (cell lineage, apoptosis), zebrafish (vertebrate development), mouse (mammalian disease) and Xenopus (embryology). The conservation of genes and pathways makes results transferable, and many Nobel Prizes rest on them. Limitations include differences from humans and narrow genetic backgrounds.
Example: cell cycle genes discovered in yeast control human cell division.
Key idea: choose the organism that best suits the question.
Frequently asked questions
What is Model Organisms?
Species like E. coli, yeast, Arabidopsis, zebrafish and mice are used because they are tractable and informative.
Which area of biology covers Model Organisms, and how advanced is it?
Model Organisms is one of the 51 topics in Lab Methods & Biostatistics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Laboratory Automation, Bayesian Statistics, Reproducibility in Science.
Can you give an example of Model Organisms?
Nobel-winning discoveries have used these species.
What should I learn before Model Organisms?
Work through the Beginner topics in Lab Methods & Biostatistics first, such as Scientific Method, Hypothesis, Variables, then return to Model Organisms. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Model Organisms?
The closest topics to Model Organisms are Laboratory Automation, Bayesian Statistics, Reproducibility in Science, Scientific Method. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Model Organisms?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Model Organisms. To practise the whole of Lab Methods & Biostatistics, use the Lab Methods & Biostatistics quiz.
How is Model Organisms different from Laboratory Automation?
Model Organisms: Species like E. coli, yeast, Arabidopsis, zebrafish and mice are used because they are tractable and informative. Laboratory Automation: Robotics and high-throughput screening let thousands of experiments run in parallel. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Model Organisms step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Laboratory Automation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Lab Methods & Biostatistics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.