Model organism

All organisms derive from one common ancestor; however, the reason why organisms do not all look alike is because of evolution. When it comes to survival of the fittest it is all about who can adapt the quickest and evolve in order to keep the species alive. Two main factors come into play in evolution: abiotic and biotic factors. Organisms are constantly fighting abiotic forces such as weather. Weather or change of weather is one of the biggest reasons for organisms evolving. When the climate…

In 1963, the South African biologist Sydney Brenner proposed C. elegans as a model system for studies of development and neurobiology. Researchers share their findings in C. elegans genome via the internet with other researchers from around the world. The process of sharing the genome database on the world wide web provides a working framework for researchers who are working on the human genome project In 1969, John Sulston developed a technique to freeze and thaw the worm. As a result, the…

The Arabidopsis thaliana, world’s most widely known and used plant model organism today, yet what Characteristics caught scientists attention and why was this small flowering plant chosen. Also under what circumstance had it preserved through that allowed it to be crowned the title model organism. Arabidopsis first interested scientists as a self-pollinating plant that would completes its life cycle within 6 weeks, alongside the characteristic of the smaller genome size (1.2 × 108 bp) than…

Organisms: Eukarya Terms: (u CARE ee uh) contains complex organisms (the eukaryotes) that have cells with nuclei. Eukarya, organisms include protists, plants, animals and fungi Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells. In addition to a nucleus, they contain many other internal structures (organelles), including mitochondria and chloroplasts. Importance to Evolution: Eukarya are important to evolution these cells are considered a milestone in the…

Despite indispensable, the number of essential genes is composed to be the minority in an organism. In the single-celled Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) genome, the whole genome systematic gene knockout analysis found 18.7% genes that are essential for viability (GIAEVER et al. 2002). There are around 25% in Drosophila (DIETZL et al. 2007). In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), it is estimated that there are ~15% of the total genes in the genome are essential genes (JOHNSEN AND BAILLIE 1997),…

There are some animal testing which have been found helpful and successful in determining the human treatment and medicine but that does not provide any guarantee that animal testing are always successful and helpful. Moreover, “animal ‘models’ have never been…

Animal testing is a form of animal abuse conducted by our society, though morally wrong this practice is still prevalent today. This is a hard custom to understand as animals are poor test subjects, tested inhumanly, lead to misleading results, while there are alternatives to animal experimenting that do not cause the loss of a life. This practice causes pain and suffering to animals, thus it is believed that animals should not be used as testing subjects. Millions of animals are used as…

environment. What are two main sources of food? Why do organisms depend on food? Who or what is the primary producer in a food web? What do the arrows tell us about a food web? How would a food web change if an organism were removed? How can energy move through an environment? 2. Organisms and events cause environmental changes. How would an environment be affected by a change that harmed some hunted organisms but favored other hunted organisms? What are some natural events that change…

Controversies of Animal Testing The necessity and morality of animal testing are among the most common topics discussed today. Since the discovery of testing new medical treatments on animals many people have pondered whether or not it is actually helpful. Animals have allowed scientist to develop many helpful medicines and medical practices that benefit humans. On the other hand, scientists discovered that animals are not always good test subjects due to the vast differences in both their…

When she first arrived at her new loving home, the malnourished beagle crawled on her belly yearning for affection, but too scared to stand up. She was suffering from many different health concerns, such as the infestation of hookworms, tapeworms, and multiple internal and external infections (Sherrow). Plus the well-conditioned psychological damage, keeping her in constant fear of humans. Once identified only by a number, she now has a home and a name. Libby, was one of the 250 dogs and cats…