[Campbell Biology P.71] Which of the following are key characteristics or benefits of using... | Practice Question

Which of the following are key characteristics or benefits of using a 'model organism' in biological research? Select all that apply

  • A: They are typically rare and difficult to obtain, making them valuable for exclusive research.
  • B: They are evolutionarily related to many other species, allowing findings to be applicable to a broader range of life.
  • C: They are typically small in size and have short generation times, facilitating rapid experimentation.
  • D: Research on them has often contributed significantly to understanding basic biological processes relevant to other organisms, including humans.
  • E: They are primarily used to study unique traits not found in other species.

Explanation

Model organisms like fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster and mustard plants Arabidopsis thaliana are widely used because they are easy to grow and manipulate in the lab C , often have short generation times, and are evolutionarily related to many other species, including humans B . This relatedness allows researchers to apply findings from model organisms to understand basic biological processes, diseases, and genes in other, more complex organisms D .