Learning the Biochemical Basis of Axonal Guidance: Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Experimental models are a powerful aid in visualizing molecular phenomena. This work reports how the worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) can be effectively explored for students to learn how molecular cues dramatically condition axonal guidance and define nervous system structure and behavior at the organism level. Summary of work: A loosely oriented observational activity preceded detailed discussions on molecules implied in axonal migration. C. elegans mutants were used to introduce second-year medical students to the deleterious effects of gene malfunctioning in neuron response to extracellular biochemical cues and to establish links between molecular function, nervous system structure, and animal behavior. Students observed C. elegans cultur

SUBMITTER: Teixeira-Castro A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10296117 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature