INTRODUCTION

Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism, essentially used in genetic science, and

provides promising advantages in the study of preclinical nutrigenomics. Its evolutionary
genetics greatly contributes to the understanding of human gene expression and development, as
the genome preserves approximately 60 per cent of genes linked to DNA mutations,
amplifications, or deletions in a number of human diseases (Reiter, Potocki, Chien, Gribskov &
Bier, 2001).
Due to its small size, ease of cultivation and short generation of time, geneticists have
been using Drosophila since then. It is one of the few animals whose complete genome is known;
many genes have been described. Fruit flies are ready to be harvested from the wild, and most
bioscience companies have many mutations. (Hales, Korey, Larracuente, & Roberts, 2015).
D. melanogaster species have available genome sequences (Adams, Celniker, Holt,
Evans & Gocayne, 2000). Together, these animals cover a wide variety of natural environments,
features of life history, and periods of developmental divergence (Singh et al. 2009). This
palpable uncertainty makes Drosophila a valuable model for comparative genomics studies on
subjects such as gene family evolution (Hahn et al. 2007), gene control (Stark et al. 2007),
In addition, these companies sell any equipment needed to cultivate the flies. Costs are
relatively small, and many of the services can be used year after year. Several laboratory
activities may be purchased, but it is questionable to do so. In this experiment, D. melanogaster
is used because it is small and easy to manage, D. melanogaster is sexually dimorphic (males
and females are different), making it very easy to distinguish between the sexes, and flies have a
limited generation period.
Classification
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Drosophilidae
Genus: Drosophila ("dew lover")
Species: melanogaster (“dark gut”)

Objectives
This laboratory activity covered the student goals by using Drosophila melanogaster:
 1. To identify concepts that guide scientific investigations
2. To examine its combination of traits can describe the characteristics of the Drosophila
melanogaster
3. To formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and shreds of
evidence

METHODOLOGY
Procedure

Materials and Apparatus

Drosophila melanogaster (Male and Female) Container
Banana Chloroform
Forceps Stereo microscope
Petri dish

Gathering of Drosophila melanogaster

I prepared a small clear container and a ripe banana. I put the banana inside the clear
container and put it near the trashcan to enter the Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). I
stayed it for the whole night, and tomorrow morning fruit flies will last longer in the
container. After that, fruit flies are inside the container. I get some piece of cloth to cover
the container in order for the fruit flies can breathe.
Examining of Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster)
In examining fruit flies, I put a chloroform solution to a cotton ball and put it in a clear
container until the fruit flies become inactive. I will get two species that will identify as male and
female and under examine/ view the stereomicroscope—furthermore, I will analyze and observe
the characteristics of Drosophila melanogaster used in this laboratory activity. Results will be
gathered after the observation.
 Results and discussion

MALE
FEMALE

Sex difference
Several criteria may be used to distinguish sexes in Drosophila melanogaster
• Body size – female, usually is larger than male.
• Abdomen shape – the female abdomen curve is tapering; the male abdomen is round and
much shorter.
• Abdomen color pattern - Alternating dark and light bands can be seen on the female's entire
rear portion; the last few male segments are fused.
Sex comb - There is a small tuft of hair on the males' front leg's basal tarsal portion. This is the
only sure method of identifying young male and female flies (less than 2 hours of age) since the
other adult characteristics are not always instantly identifiable. Sexing by the sex comb can also
be achieved successfully in the pupal stage. (Hadden and Cunningham, 1970).
• Sex organ at abdomen - Genital sex is the most accessible and reliable character for sex
determination (right; ventral view, posterior view).
Table 2. Abbreviations and Descriptions of Various Common Phenotypes
The phenotype of the Drosophila melanogaster is wild type flies.
1. Eyes: red, oval in shape and many-faceted Mutants: white, black, apricot, scarlet red, pink, or
brown; changes in form and number of facets
2. Wings: smooth edges, uniform venation, extend beyond the abdomen; changes in position in
which wings are held when at rest
3. Bristles: relatively long and smooth (note distribution on head and thorax) Mutants: shortened,
thickened, or deformed bristles changes in patterns of distribution
4. Body-color: gray, with the pattern of light and dark areas

Conclusion
Fruit fly (D. melanogaster) are sexually dimorphic which the male and female are different. It is
easy to determine and differentiate the sexes of the fruit flies. By the data given and it presented
by a table about the differences of the fruit flies about their phenotype and characteristics
through viewing it under the stereo microscope. The eye shapes, eye colors, antennae, bristles,
bodycolors, and wings of the fruit flies seems different. Drosophila melanogaster can be
developed as a well-adapted model system for nutrigenomics research due to the fact that it is
one of the best described model organisms in genetic research. Fruit fly also provides the
opportunity to research the nutritional impact on the genome, as the key methods and techniques
needed have already been developed.

Cited Literature
Adams M. D., Celniker S. E., Holt R. A., Evans C. A., Gocayne J. D., et al., 2000 The genome
sequence of Drosophila melanogaster. Science 287: 2185–2195

Hahn M. W., Han M. V., Han S. G., 2007 Gene family evolution across 12 Drosophila
genomes. PLoS Genet. 3: e197.
Hales K., Korey C., Larracuente A., & Roberts D., (2015). GENETICS vol. 201 no. 3 815-842;
https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.115.183392
Reiter LT, Potocki L, Chien S, Gribskov M, Bier E. A systematic analysis of human disease-
associated gene sequences in Drosophila melanogaster. Genome Res. 2001;11:1114–25.
Singh N. D., Larracuente A. M., Sackton T. B., Clark A. G., 2009 Comparative genomics on
the Drosophila Phylogenetic Tree. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 40: 459–480.
Stark A., Dus M., Kellis M., et al., 2007 Discrete small RNA-generating loci as master
regulators of transposon activity in Drosophila. Cell 128: 1089–1103.