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What was the advantage of using simpler organisms such as The fruit fly, rather than plants, for genetic research?

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Final answer:

Fruit flies provide advantages for genetic research due to their simple structure, short lifecycles, rapid generational turnover, and biological similarities to complex organisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The advantage of using simpler organisms such as the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), rather than plants, for genetic research comes from several aspects. Fruit flies have a relatively simple genetic structure, with a shorter lifecycle and higher fecundity compared to plants, allowing for rapid generation turnover and the observation of genetic traits over multiple generations in a short span of time. Studies on organogenesis and genetic inheritance have been greatly facilitated by using fruit flies. As model organisms, they have related biological processes to more complex organisms, like humans, providing insights into genetic functions and diseases. Additionally, characteristics such as the presence of segments along their bodies make fruit flies ideal for studying genes involved in organ development and pattern formation.

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