Neurospora
Neurospora (pronunciation: nʊərɒspɔːrə) is a genus of Ascomycete fungi that is often used as a model organism. It is particularly significant in the field of Molecular Biology and Genetics for the study of various biological processes.
Etymology
The term "Neurospora" is derived from the Greek words "neuron" meaning sinew and "spora" meaning seed. This refers to the characteristic long and sinewy spore chains of the fungi.
Description
Neurospora is a filamentous fungus that reproduces both sexually and asexually. It is known for its orange or pink color and its ability to grow on a wide variety of substrates, including bread. The most well-known species is Neurospora crassa, which has been extensively used in biological research.
Use in Research
Neurospora has been used as a model organism in genetics and molecular biology for many years. It was the organism used by George Beadle and Edward Tatum in their experiments for which they won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1958. Their work with Neurospora provided strong support for the "one gene-one enzyme" hypothesis.
Related Terms
- Mycology: The study of fungi.
- Ascomycete: A division of fungi that, together with the Basidiomycota, form the subkingdom Dikarya.
- Model Organism: A non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena.
- Molecular Biology: The branch of biology that deals with the structure and function of the macromolecules essential to life.
- Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neurospora
- Wikipedia's article - Neurospora
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