Model organism.docx

Model organisms are organisms suitable for studying a specific trait, disease or phenomenon due to similarity to humans who's biology is well known and accessible for lab studies. Characteristics for a good model organism. Small physical size Small genome size Short generation time Short life cycle...

Model organisms are organisms suitable for studying a specific trait, disease or phenomenon due to similarity to humans who's biology is well known and accessible for lab studies. Characteristics for a good model organism. Small physical size Small genome size Short generation time Short life cycle High fertility rate High mutation rate. Genes are conserved through the years hence organism who are closer in the tree will have similar genes. Drosophila as model organisms Short generation time Well defined tissue/organ Homeostatic maintenance. Complex behaviour Life cycle Egg 1st instar larvae 2nd instar larvae 3rd instar larvae pupa adult. Drosophila is used because. Humans and Drosophila genome share 60% of their genetic code. Drosophila has 3 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes. They are sexually dimorphic species= obvious differences between the 2 sexes. Wild type strain of drosophila is a standardised strain used in labs = control Males= smaller in size and block black part on the tail Females= bigger and black strips on the tail.