the worm
Caenorhabditis elegans
This transparent, free-living nematode grows to a length of about 1mm. Recently, deeper investigation of this species has begun and has since then been used as a model organism. Ergo, there is much more available info on it.
C. elegans lives in temperate soil environments and they feed on bacteria growing on dead vegetable matter. They are usually not found in self-sustaining populations. They are typically hermaphrodites (having both sex organs) but can sometimes be male. Researches have used them in labs for a variety of purposes due to there ability to survive even when disected.
These Nematodes have been used for investigation of neural development in animals. They are simple and easily analyzed genetically. They also have many other desirable properties. They are cheap and can be frozen. They are transparent so their innards are easily seen. (This is how their gender can be determined.) It is one of the simplest organisms with a nervous system. Genes can be easily silenced and inserted.
A major study has been conducted regarding the use of nicotene. This worm has been found to exhibit behavioral responses to nicotine that parallel those observed in mammals, including acute response, tolerance, withdrawal, and
sensitization.
A small number of conserved protein sequences in the far more distantly related sponges have been shown to be more similar to humans than to C. elegans. This suggests an accelerated rate of evolution has occurred in the worm.
These Nematodes have been used for investigation of neural development in animals. They are simple and easily analyzed genetically. They also have many other desirable properties. They are cheap and can be frozen. They are transparent so their innards are easily seen. (This is how their gender can be determined.) It is one of the simplest organisms with a nervous system. Genes can be easily silenced and inserted.
A major study has been conducted regarding the use of nicotene. This worm has been found to exhibit behavioral responses to nicotine that parallel those observed in mammals, including acute response, tolerance, withdrawal, and
sensitization.
A small number of conserved protein sequences in the far more distantly related sponges have been shown to be more similar to humans than to C. elegans. This suggests an accelerated rate of evolution has occurred in the worm.