Anthony Araracap

Period 4 AP Biology

Genetics of Drosophila Lab Report

Background:

Drosophilia meanogaster or fruit flies are used to study genetics. Their life cycle is complete in
about 12 days at room temperature and they produce large numbers of offspring. Many heredity
variations can be observed with low power magnification. Fruit flies have a small amount of chromosomes
(4 pairs) and are easily found in the large salivary gland cells.

(Larval stage) Here the Drosophila eats all the time. Larvae tunnel into the culture
medium when they eat. The larva will shed its skin as it increases in size. In the last of the
three larval stages, the cells of the salivary glands contain giant chromosomes that can be
seen under low power in a microscope.

(Pupal stage) Before a larva becomes a pupa it climbs the side of the container. The
last larval covering then becomes harder and darker, forming the pupal case. Through this
case the later stages of metamorphosis to an adult fly can be seen. During this stage, the eyes
the wings, and the legs become visible.

(Adult stage) When metamorphosis is over, the adult fly emerges form the pupal case.
They are fragile and light in color and their wings are not fully expanded. They get darker
in about an hour. They live about a month and then die. A female refrains from mating for
about 12 days after she emerges from the pupal case. After she mates her receptacles
contain large amounts of sperm and she lays her eggs. Make sure that the first flies you
use are virgins.

Purpose:

The purpose of this lab was to observe genetic variation in fruit flies. Mutations were also
observed. These flies inherited these genetic differences from Monohybrid, Dihybrid, or Sex-linked
crosses.

Hypothesis:

If we determine the phenotypes of the first filial generation, then we can determine the parental
genotype.

Materials:

● Fruit flies
● Light microscope
● Petri dish
● Pencil
● Paper
Procedure:

● Place flies onto petri dish in order to observe under a light microscope
● Determine which sex the flies are, as well as the characteristics of their eyes and wings
Data & Observations:

During this lab several observations were noted. First off, males had dark abdomens, while
females had lighter, more pointed abdomens. Also, males were usually smaller than the females. Besides
this, some females had eggs visible outside of their abdomens. Another note was that in the Cross 1 F1
generation, curly wings were not sex-linked in the flies. On the other hand, in the Cross 2 F1 generation,
the gene for eye color was sex-linked; females were wild type and males were white-eyed.

Table 7.1: Cross 1 F1 Generation

Phenotype and Symbol Females Males

Curly (Cy) 6 4
Straight (Cy+) 7 4
Table 7.2: Cross 2 F1 Generation

Phenotype and Symbol Females Males

Red eyes (w+) 35 0
White eyes (w) 0 36

Observed Expected (E) (o-e) (o-e)^2 (o-e)^2/e

Phenotype
57 male, wild type 70.5 -13.5 182.25 2.59
82 female, wild 70.5 11.5 132.25 1.88
type
49 male and 47 2 4 .085
female vestigial,
wild type
50 male and 47 3 9 0.191
female wild type,
aristapedia
9 female vestigial, 7.83 1.17 1.37 .175
aristapedia
4 vestigial, 7.83 -3.83 14.7 1.88
aristapedia
TOTAL:251 274.16 -7.16 399.8 9.19
X2= 9.19

Analysis:

(None)

Error Analysis:

In this lab some errors may have occurred. For example, when sexing the flies, some may have
looked like female fruit flies, but were actually males. Also, some errors in counting may have occurred as
well, such as mistaking the characteristics of the flies could have altered the results. Incorrect calculations
may also have caused an inaccuracy in results.

Discussion:

The hypothesis in this lab was “If we determine the phenotypes of the first filial generation, then
we can determine the parental genotype” was accepted. Based off the results from the F1 generation, 10
fruit flies inherited curly wings, while the other 11 had straight wings. Using the parental cross, the F1
generation was predicted to have a 50:50 chance of having either curly or straight wings. It was also
determined that the mutant gene was not sex linked because there was no dominant sex that had curly
wings. Estimating the ratio of curly to straight yields about half and half. Thus, the hypothesis can be
supported because the ratio was 1:1. Meanwhile, in cross 3, the expected numbers were calculated from
a 9:3:3:1 ratio while the observed numbers were given. By using Chi square test, the calculated X2
number was 9.16 and the X2 probability X2 number was 7.82. The X2 calculated number was larger than
the X2 probability(9.16>7.82)--as the chi-square increases the probability decreases; solely using
chances cannot explain the deviations that were observed and therefore gives reason to doubt the
original hypothesis or question the accuracy of the data collection. Thus, the null hypothesis for cross 3
“Based off of a given number of flies, 9/16 of the flies will have the dominant phenotypes, 3/16 of the flies
will have have dominant and recessive, and 1/16 will have recessive phenotypes” was rejected.

Discussion Questions:

1)

2)F1 and F2 ratios:

Cross 1:
 Expected Genotypic Expected Phenotypic
Ratio Ratio
F1 1:1 1:1
F2 1:1 1:1
Cross 2:

Expected Genotypic Expected Phenotypic

Ratio Ratio
F1 1:1 1:1
F2 1:1 1:1

Cross 3:

Expected Genotypic Ratio Expected Phenotypic

F1 9:3:3:1 9:3:3:1

3) Cross 1 was autosomal and recessive, as well as a monohybrid cross.

4) No, the actual results were as predicted from the parental genotypes.

5) Cross 2 was sex-linked and recessive, as well as a monohybrid cross.

6) No, the actual results were as predicted from the parental genotypes.

7) No.

8)There are three degrees of freedom. Chi-square equals 9.19. The null hypothesis is rejected because
9.19 is greater than 7.82.

9)Wing shape and the presence of antennae shape are both located on chromosome II.