ZEBRAFISH Meaning and
Definition
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Zebrafish, also known as Danio rerio, is a small tropical freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family, Cyprinidae. It is native to the streams and rice paddies of Southeast Asia, particularly found in countries like India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Zebrafish are known for their distinctive horizontal blue stripes spanning their body, which resemble the stripes of a zebra, hence the name "zebrafish."
These fish are commonly kept in aquariums and are also a popular species used in scientific research. Zebrafish have become a prominent model organism due to their transparency, rapid development, regenerative abilities, and similarities to human genetic makeup. This has made them invaluable for studying embryonic development, genetics, and disease mechanisms.
Zebrafish reach an average length of around 2.5 to 4 centimeters and are typically silver or gold in color with their characteristic stripes. They have an elongated body shape, with a slender, cylindrical appearance. In their natural habitat, zebrafish primarily feed on small invertebrates, insects, and zooplankton.
Their reproductive capabilities are remarkable, with females able to lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Zebrafish eggs are externally fertilized, meaning the male fertilizes the eggs after they are laid. The eggs hatch within a few days, and the newly hatched zebrafish larvae are fully developed and self-sufficient.
Overall, zebrafish serve as a crucial aquatic organism for scientific research, providing valuable insights into various fields such as development, genetics, regenerative medicine, toxicology, and drug screening.
Common Misspellings for ZEBRAFISH
Etymology of ZEBRAFISH
The word "zebrafish" is a compound word consisting of "zebra" and "fish".
The term "zebra" is derived from the Italian word "zebra" or "ciabara", which originated from the Portuguese word "zebra", meaning wild ass. It was later adopted into English in the late 17th century, referring to the black and white striped mammal, the zebra.
The word "fish" comes from the Old English word "fisc", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "fiskaz".
Hence, the term "zebrafish" is a combination of the animal name "zebra" and "fish", highlighting the visual similarity of zebrafish to zebras due to their black and white stripes.
