• Microorganisms provide relatively simple systems for studying genetic phenomena and are thus useful tools in attempts to decipher the mechanisms underlying the genetics of all organisms. • Microorganisms are used for the isolation and duplication of specific genes from other organisms, a technique called molecular cloning. In molecular cloning, genes are manipulated and placed in a microorganism where they can be induced to increase in number.• Microorganisms provide relatively simple systems for studying genetic phenomena and are thus useful tools in attempts to decipher the mechanisms underlying the genetics of all organisms. • Microorganisms are used for the isolation and duplication of specific genes from other organisms, a technique called molecular cloning. In molecular cloning, genes are manipulated and placed in a microorganism where they can be induced to increase in number