Drosophila melanogaster Genetics Lab
Christian Chou
Mrs. McCarron
12/10/14
A.P Biology
Drosophila melanogaster Genetics
Introduction:
The common fruit fly, scientifically named Drosophila melanogaster, is used by many in genetic studies. Because they can be easily cultured, have a relatively short generation time, and are prolific breeders, fruit flies are often very popular in genetic investigations. Furthermore, mutations and sex are easy to visualize among the fruit flies. Male fruit flies have a smaller abdomen than their female counterparts, and they also have sex combs, or black bristles, on their forelegs, which females lack. Genes are the molecular units of heredity in all organisms and are located on chromosomes. Linkedgenes are located on the same chromosome and are inherited together. Wild fruit flies possess the dominant traits and alleles, whereas mutant fruit flies show the recessive traits and alleles. In this lab. genetics crosses will be performed on fruit flies to determine their sex and determine whether or not they have a mutation. Data will be collected from both an F and an F generation. Also to test the results of a cross between a sepia mutant
1
2 fruit fly and the normal, wild type fruit fly. Null Hypothesis: There will be no real difference between the observed results and the expected results. Materials and Procedure: Materials:
Culture vials with foam plugs
Formula 424 dehydrated Drosophila media
Dry active yeast
Distilled water
Fly Nap anesthetic Procedure:
See lab sheet Results/Data Collection/Analysis:
Petri dishes
Fine artist’s brush
Dissecting microscope
Fly “morgue” (DO NOT DRINK)
Table 1: Phenotypes of the parental strains of Drosophila Phenotype
Phenotype
Wild type: Red eyes, normal wings, short antennae.
Mutant A: Red eyes, vestigial wings, short antennae.
Wild type: Red eyes, normal wings, short antennae.
Mutant B: White eyes, normal wings,
Mrs. McCarron
12/10/14
A.P Biology
Drosophila melanogaster Genetics
Introduction:
The common fruit fly, scientifically named Drosophila melanogaster, is used by many in genetic studies. Because they can be easily cultured, have a relatively short generation time, and are prolific breeders, fruit flies are often very popular in genetic investigations. Furthermore, mutations and sex are easy to visualize among the fruit flies. Male fruit flies have a smaller abdomen than their female counterparts, and they also have sex combs, or black bristles, on their forelegs, which females lack. Genes are the molecular units of heredity in all organisms and are located on chromosomes. Linkedgenes are located on the same chromosome and are inherited together. Wild fruit flies possess the dominant traits and alleles, whereas mutant fruit flies show the recessive traits and alleles. In this lab. genetics crosses will be performed on fruit flies to determine their sex and determine whether or not they have a mutation. Data will be collected from both an F and an F generation. Also to test the results of a cross between a sepia mutant
1
2 fruit fly and the normal, wild type fruit fly. Null Hypothesis: There will be no real difference between the observed results and the expected results. Materials and Procedure: Materials:
Culture vials with foam plugs
Formula 424 dehydrated Drosophila media
Dry active yeast
Distilled water
Fly Nap anesthetic Procedure:
See lab sheet Results/Data Collection/Analysis:
Petri dishes
Fine artist’s brush
Dissecting microscope
Fly “morgue” (DO NOT DRINK)
Table 1: Phenotypes of the parental strains of Drosophila Phenotype
Phenotype
Wild type: Red eyes, normal wings, short antennae.
Mutant A: Red eyes, vestigial wings, short antennae.
Wild type: Red eyes, normal wings, short antennae.
Mutant B: White eyes, normal wings,