Model Organisms Flashcards
Why do we use animal models?
To understand SNC in vivo vs in vitro
What do we learn from animal models?
Causes, mechanisms, pathways.
From molecule to mind
How do animals relate to humans?
Evolutionary conservation
Homology
What did Darwin discover about the relationship between species?
Three of life
Homologous structure: arm bones connected in the same way
Types of functional studies in animal models
Genetic (epistasis, mutation, enhancers, and suppressors, landing partners)
Protein interaction
Signaling pathways
Cell types, tissues, and organs
Circuits
Relationship with disease
Epistasis is
Interaction of 2 or more genes in different loci.
Name animal models from the least similar to the more similar to human
C. elegans Drosophila melanogaster Danio renio Mus Musculus Human
Yeast use
Homologous genes in the regulation of cell division
C. elegans model example
Genetic of aging
Homologous gene in lifespan with humans ex. IGF 1
C. elegans advantages as an animal model
1mm 302 neurons 250 progeny Eats bacteria Three days growth _ short time cycle Transparent
Drosophila melanogaster advantages as an animal model
65% genetic simiar to human 13600 genes complex brain-behavior Learning and memory Short life cycle (10 days) Small Genetic tools for cell and circuit manipulation Similar brain structures to humans and mammals
Zebrafish (D. renio) advantages as an animal model
Vertebrate Transparent as an embryo Closer to humans than insects 72 hr gestation 3-month life cycle Applicable to functional studies in vivo fMRI studies Circuit manipulation Genetics High-speed tracking Naturalistic behavior studies
Mus Musculus (mouse) advantages as an animal model
90% genetic homology to human Small brain Good model The study from molecule to mind Electrophysiological studies
