model organism


model organism

A generic term for an organism used in research.

model organism

a laboratory organism that has many advantages for experimental research. Examples include Arabidopsis thaliana (mustard plant), Caenorhabditis elegans (NEMATODE worm), Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (unicellular alga), Dictyostelium discoideum (SLIME MOULD), Drosophila melanogaster (FRUIT FLY), ESCHERICHIA COLI (BACTERIUM),Mus musculus (Mouse), XENOPUS LAEVIS (African clawed frog) and YEAST (SACCHAROMYCES cerevisiae, and other species). See also HUMAN GENOME PROJECT.