Reproduction and Heredity Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly Roblan

Reproduction and Heredity Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) © Roblan. Jamika Lasker, B. S. , and Erin S. Kelleher, Ph. D. University of Houston Dissemination of this activity provided by Baylor College of Medicine.

Observable Traits: Male or Female Male Identify and record as many differences in physical characteristics between the male and female fruit flies. What are key differences? What might the red arrows be pointing to?

Observable Traits: Offspring n n The photos above were taken a few years apart. Do the children (offspring) look the same or different from each other? Which traits were passed from specific parents to specific offspring?

Physical Trait 1: Eye Color A fruit fly is born having its eye color determined by parental genes. The dominant gene variant is red (wild-type). The recessive gene variant is white. What happens when one parent has red eyes and the other has white eyes?

Physical Trait 2: Wing Shape How do these flies differ? Female Male

Physical Trait 3: Bristle Length Look at the macro images above. How do these fruit flies differ?

Genotype Charts Biologists assign letters to specific gene variants that influence traits that they observe. The genetic makeup of traits in the female and male fruit flies you have been provided with are listed in the table below.

Science Safety Considerations n n n Follow all instructions. Begin investigation only when instructed. Report accidents. Do not eat or drink during the experiment. Wash hands thoroughly after the investigation.