[General Q.]: Why are scientists studying worms to understand aging?

(Encourages the AI to provide a clear and engaging explanation of model organisms.)

General Mode A.: Scientists study the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to understand aging because these worms offer several advantages as a model organism. Firstly, they have a short lifespan of about three weeks, which allows researchers to quickly observe the effects of genetic or environmental changes on aging. This is much faster than studying longer-lived organisms like mice or humans.

C. elegans also have a fully sequenced genome, with about 60-80% homology to human genes, making them highly relevant for studying human biology. Their transparent body allows for easy observation of physiological changes, and they are simple to maintain in the laboratory.

Furthermore, C. elegans exhibit clear age-related changes similar to those in humans, such as declining tissue integrity, motility, and reproductive capacity, which makes them an excellent model for studying the biological processes of aging.

Finally, the availability of advanced genetic tools and the ability to perform high-throughput screening make C. elegans an ideal choice for testing anti-aging drugs and understanding the molecular pathways involved in aging.

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