Model organism: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:28, 9 January 2007

Revision as of 20:38, 11 January 2007

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{{Mergefrom|Animal model|date=October 2006}}

A '''model organism''' is a [[species]] that is extensively studied to understand particular [[biology|biological]] [[phenomenon|phenomena]], with the expectation that discoveries made in the organism model will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. In particular, model organisms are widely used to explore potential causes and treatments for human [[disease]] when experimentation on humans would be unfeasible or [[bioethics|unethical]]. This strategy is made possible by the [[common descent]] of all living organisms, and the conservation of [[metabolism|metabolic]] and [[developmental biology|developmental]] pathways and [[gene|genetic material]] over the course of [[evolution]].

[[Image:E coli at 10000x, original.jpg|thumb|right|[[E. coli]] electron micrograph]]