Torpedo californica

[Jeffrey L Nauss]

I have been reading recently about work on acetylcholinesterase.
Often, I find that source for the protein is Torpedo californica.
Could someone please briefly describe to this ignorant chemist what is
Torpedo californica?  Why is this creature used so often to study
acetylcholinesterase?

Thanks in advance...


-- 
Jeff Nauss				Texas A&M Class of '77
Department of Chemistry			Gig 'em, Aggies!
University of Cincinnati