Final answer:
The model plant used by scientists is Arabidopsis thaliana, which is commonly used in plant biology and genetics research. It is among other model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that offer unique research advantages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The model plant used by scientists is Arabidopsis thaliana. This plant is a common model organism in plant biology and genetics. Other notable model organisms used by scientists include the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, Mus musculus (mouse), and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Each of these organisms provides unique advantages for studying various biological processes. For example, C. elegans is transparent, which allows for the observation of cellular processes, and has a short generation time, making it convenient for genetic studies. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is valuable in genetics research due to its eukaryotic nature, allowing for the study of protein production and modification processes similar to human cells.