Question

Mention in brief the genetic applications of Drosophila melanogaster or fruitfly.

Answer 1

 Genetic applications of Drosophila melanogaster:

• From the stand point of genetics, D. melanogaster is the best known of all multicellular organisms and the one which is mostly used in an elementary genetics laboratory.
• This is because of its following advantages -

1. The fly is small, anatomically complex, readily handled, and breeds prolifically in the laboratory.

2. Conditions for culturing of Drosophila are simple, cheap and readily controlled.

3. Its life cycle is short, takes only two weeks for its completion.

4. Many mutants of this fly are already known.

5. Its number of chromosomes is small (ie, its diploid number is 8).

6. The polytene chromosomes of salivary glands of its larva provide best opportunity for cytological and molecular biological studies.

7. Homologous chromosomes do not undergo crossing over in the germ cells of the male. This greatly simplifies the genetic procedures employed. 8. Abundant scientific literature is available about this fly.

9. Numerous closely related species are available for comparative studies.

Drosophila melanogaster:

• It is a species of fly of the family Drosophilidae.
• It is often referred to as the fruit fly or lesser fruit fly.
• It is less commonly the vinegar fly or pomace fly.