Model organisms (Basic science review)

Many plant and animal species are used in research. Reasons why certain species become model organisms include:

• They are easy to deal with. They don’t cost a lot, they don’t eat a lot, they aren’t dangerous.
• They reproduce quickly. This is helpful when research needs to be carried out over multiple generations.
• They mature quickly. This is helpful when research needs to be carried out over the life of the organism.
• They have been extensively studied already so their genetics are well-known.
• They mimic diseases or metabolic processes that occur in humans.

This table lists some of the common model organisms. Often, they may be referred to by their scientific names, which may have the genus abbreviated (e.g. X. laevis) or may only be referred to by their genus name (e.g. Drosophila).