Isolated C. elegans gonad with the nuclei labeled. The distal tip cell would be located to the right most of the image. From the distal tip cell end to oocytes, there are germ cells in various states of maturation. Image courtesy of the Schedl Lab.
Organisms used to closely study and elucidate our understanding of basic biological phenomena that might not be easily researched in advanced organisms. In general, they possess characteristics such as small size, short life span and ease of cultivation.