Suppose you want to understand the basic function of your gene. What model organism(s) or other experimental approaches might you use to address your research goal

The model organism that I would use is the fruitfly, DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Explanation:

In genetic studies, the scientists who study genetics are known as geneticists. The basic laws of genetics were laid down by Gregor Mendel in 1866. While in 1912, the American geneticist, Thomas Morgan, showed that GENES were carried on CHROMOSOMES.

They made use of MODEL ORGANISMS which are organisms that are suitable for studying a particular trait or disease because of the characteristics it possesses. Example include fly, fish rodent, pig.

Thomas Morgan made use of the fruitfly, DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER in his genetic studies to:

--> verify Mendel's findings, and

--> locate the position of GENES on CHROMOSOMES known as chromosome mapping.

The DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER is suitable for genetic studies because:

--> it is tiny: this made it possible to be kept in the laboratory in large numbers.

--> the males( rounded abdomen) and female( pointed abdomen) can be easily distinguished.

--> it has a short life cycle which it completes within two weeks and breeds in large numbers, enabling geneticists to follow the transmission of characters through several generations in a short period.