nematode C. elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans, commonly known as C. elegans, is a small, transparent nematode (roundworm) about 1 millimeter long. It's a widely studied organism in biology due to its simple anatomy, short lifespan, and well-mapped genetics. Researchers use C. elegans to explore fundamental questions in neuroscience, development, and aging, as its genetic makeup is similar to that of humans in many respects. These worms are grown easily in laboratories and provide valuable insights into processes such as cell differentiation and neural function, making them critical to advancements in understanding health and disease.