DROSOPHILIA MELNOGASTER

Drosophilia Melnogaster

Drosophilia Melnogaster

Introduction

Drosophila melanogaster (Greek for dark-bellied dew lover : d??s?? = dew, f???? = intimate friend, lover, µ??a? = dark-coloured, ?ast?? = belly [2]) is a species of Diptera, or the order of flies, in the family Drosophilidae. The species is commonly known as the common fruit fly or vinegar fly. Starting from Charles W. Woodworth, this species is one of the most commonly used model organisms in biology, including studies in genetics, physiology, microbial pathogenesis and life history evolution because they are easy to take care of, breed quickly, and lay many eggs. Flies belonging to the family Tephritidae are also called fruit flies, which can lead to confusion, especially in Australia where the term fruit fly refers to the Tephritidae, economic pests in fruit production.

Drosophilia Melnogaster

Wildtype fruit flies have brick red eyes, are yellow-brown in color, and have transverse black rings across their abdomen. They exhibit sexual dimorphism: females are about 2.5 millimeters (0.098 in) long; males are slightly smaller and the back of their bodies is darker. Males are easily distinguished from females based on color differences, with a distinct black patch at the abdomen, less noticeable in recently emerged flies (see fig), and the sexcombs (a row of dark bristles on the tarsus of the first leg). Furthermore, males have a cluster of spiky hairs (claspers) surrounding the reproducing parts used to attach to the female during mating. There are extensive images at FlyBase.

A genetic mutation is what causes mutations in an animal or human. To understand what a genetic mutation is and why it occurs, you would have to first understand the basics of DNA, including its structure. However since not everybody has the time to study DNA to learn about genetic mutations, I will try to break it down and explain genetic mutations as thoroughly as possible. First I will give you a little background on the history of genetic mutations. Genetic mutations were first reported in 1901 by Hugo De Vries, a Dutch botanist. In 1929 an American biologist named Hermann Joseph Muller discovered that the rate of genetic mutations can be increases by X rays. Later it was discovered that other forms of radiation, high temperatures, and various chemicals also caused mutations.

Another cause of genetic mutation that has been discovered is inbreeding. An example of inbreeding is when a cousin and another cousin have a child. Next I will ...