Why are Model Organisms Used to Test Hypotheses

Question

Why are model organisms used to test hypotheses?
A) The hypotheses are likely to apply only to the model organism.
B) The hypotheses are potentially too dangerous to perform on human subjects.
C) Human subjects have already been tested.
D) The hypotheses have results that are always applicable to humans.

Accepted Answer

Model organisms are often used in research because certain experiments may pose ethical or safety risks if performed directly on humans. These organisms, such as mice, fruit flies, and zebrafish, can provide valuable insights into biological processes and disease mechanisms due to their genetic similarities to humans, ease of maintenance, and shorter life cycles.