Simplified representations of more complex systems, often used to isolate and highlight specific properties of organization. In biology, a model system is a particular animal species that is accessible to experimental manipulation in order to supply answers to about biological processes and mechanisms. So, for example, the fruit fly has become the model system par excellence in various branches of genetics. As such, the fruit fly fulfils at least two criteria as a model system: it has a short life cycle and it is relatively easy to subject to genetic manipulation.
See Biology, Complex system, Description, Genetics, Mechanism, Model, Model representation, Process