Rats are commonly used in scientific research as a model organism for studying various biological processes and diseases. They are widely used in fields such as neuroscience, psychology, toxicology, and pharmacology. Rats are ideal for research due to their physiological and genetic similarities to humans, as well as their relatively low cost and ease of handling. Researchers often use rats to study behavior, cognition, learning and memory, drug addiction, and various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Rats are also commonly used in preclinical testing of drugs and vaccines before they are tested in humans. Overall, rats play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying various physiological and pathological processes.