Model Organisms Based Linking to Gene Function, Evolution, And Development in Undergraduate Genetics Courses

Abstract

Model organisms serve as essential tools in undergraduate genetics education, providing accessible systems for exploring gene function, evolution, and development. Species such as Drosophila melanogaster, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mus musculus, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Escherichia coli exemplify conserved genetic and developmental mechanisms across eukaryotes and prokaryotes. By integrating experimental data from these organisms, students gain insight into genotype–phenotype relationships, embryonic patterning, signal transduction, and regulatory gene networks. The use of model organisms bridges classical and contemporary genetics, allowing precise experimental perturbation, functional annotation, and comparative analysis that illuminate evolutionary conservation and translational relevance. Educational strategies that emphasize species-specific examples foster deeper conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and the ability to connect laboratory observations with broader biological principles. Incorporating model organisms into the curriculum thus enhances student engagement while reinforcing fundamental concepts of gene function, developmental biology, and evolutionary genetics