3.1 - Alternative Animal Model: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) (Knowt Generated ver.)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering taxonomy, history, strains, anatomy, physiology, behaviors, husbandry, anesthesia, and research applications of the zebrafish model organism.

Francis Hamilton

Scottish physician who first described the zebrafish in 1822 in the River Kosi near Nathpur, India, naming it Cyprinus rerio.

Charles Creaser

Scientist who proposed using zebrafish for embryology research in 1934 and published an article on handling them for scientific studies.

George Streisinger

Geneticist at the University of Oregon known as the founding father of zebrafish research, who made history in 1981 by cloning the zebrafish as the first cloned vertebrate.

Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN)

A centralized database created in the 1990s to provide genetic and genomic data for zebrafish researchers.

Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC)

An organization established in 2001 to store and share zebrafish strains and provide resources for research and husbandry.

Zebrafish Genome Project

A sequencing project completed in 2013 by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute that identified over 26,000 protein-coding genes in the zebrafish genome.

Wild-Type Zebrafish Strains

Natural, unmodified strains of zebrafish that serve as control groups or benchmarks in research experiments.

Absolute Mutant (AB)

A double mutant zebrafish carrying ednrb1a^b140 and mitfa^b69 that lacks melanophore, xanthophore, and most iridophore cells, giving it a transparent appearance.

Tubingen Longfin (TL)

A double mutant line carrying a recessive pigment mutation (leo^11) causing spotting and a dominant mutation (lof^dt2) resulting in long fins.

Wild Indian Karyotype (WIK)

A highly polymorphic zebrafish strain derived from a single pair mating of second-generation wild-caught Indian zebrafish, commonly used for genome mapping.

Albino Strain

A mutant zebrafish strain with a slc45a2 gene mutation involved in melanin synthesis, causing a lack of pigmentation in melanophores.

Nacre Strain

A mutant strain carrying a mitfa gene mutation that encodes microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, resulting in the complete absence of melanophores.

Casper Strain

A pigment-deficient zebrafish strain with transparent adult skin, making it ideal for live imaging studies.

TP53 Mutant

A zebrafish mutant strain with a defective tumor suppressor gene, used as a model for cancer studies.

RAG1/RAG2 Mutant

Immunodeficient zebrafish research models that lack functional adaptive immunity.

DUOX Mutant

A specialized zebrafish mutant strain useful for studying oxidative stress and thyroid disorders.

GloFish

A commercially available fluorescent strain of zebrafish used for niche research applications.

Iridophores

Light-reflecting pigment cells present in the body wall of zebrafish that contribute to their horizontal stripes.

Xanthophores

Yellow pigment cells found in the skin structure of zebrafish.

Melanophores

Black, melanin-producing pigment cells found in zebrafish.

Lateral Line System

A unique sensory organ system in zebrafish that allows them to detect changes in water flow and pressure.

Neuromasts

Hair cell clusters located along the length of the body as part of the zebrafish lateral line system.

Acoustic Startle Reflex

A behavioral sensory response to sudden sounds or vibrations exhibited by zebrafish starting from 5 days post fertilization (dpf).

Gemma Micro

A high-quality, nutritionally complete processed dry feed used for laboratory zebrafish nutrition.

MS-222 (Tricaine Methanesulfonate)

An anesthetic agent commonly used for zebrafish immobilisation, buffered to pH $7\text{--}8$ with sodium bicarbonate.

Stage 3 Surgical Anesthesia

An anesthetic stage in zebrafish (Plane 2) characterized by the complete absence of swimming movements and rapid, shallow respiration.

Rapid Chilling

A physical method of euthanasia for adult zebrafish that involves immersion in water maintained between $2\text{--}4^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ for at least $20\text{ minutes}$.