Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: C. Elegans Worm
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Researchers at Princeton University found that Caenorhabditis elegans can inherit the ‘knowledge’ to avoid a disease-causing bacterium, Pseudomonas vranovensis, across several generations after initially consuming it.
C. Elegans: Breakthrough made in Scientific Research
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About C. Elegans Worm
- C. elegans, or Caenorhabditis elegans, is a small, transparent nematode (roundworm) widely used in scientific research.
- It is about 1 mm in length, making it easy to study under a microscope.
- It has a simple body plan, which simplifies many types of biological research.
- C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced in 1998.
Key Features of C. Elegans Worm
- Short lifespan and quick regeneration: It has a short lifespan of about 2-3 weeks and develops from an egg to an adult in just 3-5 days. This allows for quick generation turnover and facilitates studies on genetics and developmental biology.
- Transparency: It allows researchers to easily observe its internal structures and developmental processes in real time.
- Genetic information: This has provided a wealth of genetic information and made it a powerful tool for genetic studies.
- Consistent Somatic Cell Count: Adult C. elegans have exactly 959 somatic cells, and their lineage has been fully mapped, providing a consistent model for studying cell development and death.
PYQ:[2021] Consider the following: 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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