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Mice are often used in scientific research because they share many genetic and physical traits with humans. However, since mice and humans evolved in different environments, they have distinct differences. While both species have certain shared biological processes, their reactions to experiments can vary significantly. Mice are great for studying shared biological traits and understanding how different species develop from common genes. But when it comes to mimicking human diseases, mice might not always be the best models since the connections between genes and diseases can vary between humans and mice. So, while mice are helpful in research, it's essential to consider both their similarities and differences with humans. <ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4875775/</ref> | Mice are often used in scientific research because they share many genetic and physical traits with humans. However, since mice and humans evolved in different environments, they have distinct differences. While both species have certain shared biological processes, their reactions to experiments can vary significantly. Mice are great for studying shared biological traits and understanding how different species develop from common genes. But when it comes to mimicking human diseases, mice might not always be the best models since the connections between genes and diseases can vary between humans and mice. So, while mice are helpful in research, it's essential to consider both their similarities and differences with humans. <ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4875775/</ref> | ||
== Benefits for Longevity Research == | |||
Mice are beneficial for longevity research for several reasons: | Mice are beneficial for longevity research for several reasons: | ||
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# '''Rich Data Sets''': Due to the extensive use of mice in research, there's a wealth of pre-existing data available. This enables researchers to compare and contrast findings from longevity studies with data from other domains. | # '''Rich Data Sets''': Due to the extensive use of mice in research, there's a wealth of pre-existing data available. This enables researchers to compare and contrast findings from longevity studies with data from other domains. | ||
# '''Ethical Considerations''': While all animal research has ethical considerations, the use of shorter-lived organisms like mice often presents fewer ethical complexities than the use of longer-lived animals, especially primates. | # '''Ethical Considerations''': While all animal research has ethical considerations, the use of shorter-lived organisms like mice often presents fewer ethical complexities than the use of longer-lived animals, especially primates. | ||
== Differences Between Human and Mouse Model == | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Feature | |||
!Human | |||
!Mouse Model | |||
!Difference | |||
|- | |||
|Lifespan | |||
|~80 years (average) | |||
|~2-3 years | |||
|~40x | |||
|- | |||
|Reproductive Age Start | |||
|~12-15 years | |||
|~6-8 weeks | |||
|~100x | |||
|- | |||
|Growth Rate | |||
|18-25 years to reach full adult size | |||
|2-3 months to maturity | |||
|~90x to ~100x | |||
|- | |||
|Genome | |||
|~20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes | |||
|~20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes | |||
|differences in some gene families and pathways | |||
|- | |||
|Genome Size | |||
|~3.2 billion base pairs | |||
|~2.7 billion base pairs | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Number of Chromosomes | |||
|46 (23 pairs) | |||
|40 (20 pairs) | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Heart Rate | |||
|~60-100 beats/minute | |||
|~500-700 beats/minute | |||
|~8x | |||
|- | |||
|Metabolic Rate | |||
|Slower | |||
|Faster | |||
|Variable (often >10x) | |||
|- | |||
|Bone Density Decline | |||
|Begins in late 20s | |||
|Begins around 1 year | |||
|~25x | |||
|- | |||
|Body Weight | |||
|Average 62 kg (female) & 77 kg (male) | |||
|20-40 g (female) & 25-45 g (male) | |||
|~2000x (average) | |||
|- | |||
|Brain Size | |||
|~1400 cm³ | |||
|~0.4 cm³ | |||
|~3500x | |||
|- | |||
|Blood Volume | |||
|~5 liters | |||
|~2 ml | |||
|~2500x | |||
|- | |||
|Caloric Restriction Response | |||
|Increases longevity | |||
|Increases longevity | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Diet | |||
|Omnivorous, varied diet | |||
|Omnivorous, often fed controlled diets in labs | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Telomere Length | |||
|Shorter in somatic cells | |||
|Relatively longer in many cells | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Reproductive Cycle | |||
|~28 days (Menstrual cycle) | |||
|4-5 days (Estrous cycle) | |||
|~6x | |||
|- | |||
|Pregnancy Duration | |||
|~280 days | |||
|~19-21 days | |||
|~14x | |||
|- | |||
|Immune System | |||
|Slower response, memory-driven | |||
|Faster initial response, less memory-driven | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Drug Metabolism | |||
|Slower drug metabolism | |||
|Faster drug metabolism due to differences in liver enzymes | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|Blood Cell Lifespan | |||
|Red cells: ~120 days | |||
|Red cells: ~40 days | |||
|~3x | |||
|} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> |