Final answer:
It is true that bacteria and viruses are utilized in the study of genes and inheritance. They are effective model systems that can be genetically manipulated and used to understand fundamental genetic processes relevant to all forms of life, including gene regulation and expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, bacteria and viruses can indeed be used to study genes and inheritance. Despite their differences from animal and plant cells, microbes like bacteria and viruses offer unique advantages in genetic research. They can grow quickly to high population densities in a controlled laboratory setting, allowing for efficient study of genetic processes. Their structural simplicity makes them easier to manipulate genetically. Viruses, such as bacteriophages, serve as important tools in molecular and cellular biology for investigating cellular functions and genetic material delivery. Furthermore, despite the vast differences across living forms, the underlying mechanisms of gene regulation, expression, and replication share remarkable similarity, as evidenced by the ability of a human gene to be properly expressed in a bacterial cell. This cross-species genetic compatibility has vital implications in medicine, as seen in the use of viral vectors in gene therapy and the creation of transgenic crops.