<em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> (IMAGE) Cornell University Caption The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Three life stages of C. elegans are shown: an adult hermaphrodite, a smaller larva, and eleven newly laid eggs (with embryos developing inside them). These are all on a lawn of Escherichia coli bacteria (being eaten by the worms as food). The fully grown adult is roughly 1 millimeter long. Credit Marie-Anne Félix, Ecole Normale Supérieure Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.