Question

Neurospora - an ascomycetes fungus has been used as a biological tool to understand the mechanism of plant genetics much in the same way as Drosophila has been used to study animal genetics. What makes Neurospora so important as a genetic tool?

Answer 1

Features that make it a model organism

Neurospora is an important genetic tool as:-

• Easy and fast growth- it is easy to grow in liquid or solidified medium. Cell culture can be made easily.
• Genome- complete genome is sequenced, and the genome can be easily modified by molecular techniques.
• Well defined sexual cycle- therefore genetic manipulations are done easily.
• Features of higher eukaryotes- hence useful for research work.