1. *Lab manual protocol will not be used
Drosophila Genetics I
Inheritance, Autosomal genes vs. Sex Linked genes, Monohybrid and Dihybrid Crosses
*Lab manual protocol will not be used

2. Lab Objectives
To have a first hand look at how genes are inherited in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit Fly)
To develop a better understanding of genetics by conducting monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.
To have a basic knowledge of working with Drosophila as a model organism

3. Overview Review Mitosis and Meiosis Review Concepts of Genetics
Drosophila melanogaster
Background Information
Applied Genetics

4. I. Mitosis and Meiosis

5. II. Genetics Review

6. Allele-alternate forms of a given gene (brown or blue eyes)
Independent assortment- random distribution of unlinked genes into gametes.
Linked Genes- genes located on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together. The alleles do not assort independently.
Sex linked genes- genes located on a sex chromosome (e.g. white eyes in Drosophila)
Crossing over- reciprocal exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids during meiosis I (performed in pipe cleaner exercise during meiosis).

7. Alleles on Chromosomes

8. Mendel’s Law of Segregation
The two alleles present for a gene will separate during gamete formation
For example:
AA will segregate into A and A
Aa will segregate into A and a

9. The Law of Independent assortment
“Each pair of alleles segregates into gametes independently” (Campbell)
For examples:
AaBb will segregate and form 4 different gametes:
AB, Ab, aB, and ab.

10. Thomas Hunt Morgan
State College of Kentucky (later the University of Kentucky), B.S.
Johns Hopkins University, Ph. D.
Nobel Prize for Physiology / Medicine in 1933.

11. Chromosome theory of heredity
Found that genes are located on chromosomes
Discovered Sex-Linkage (module 10)
Worked with Drosophila

12. Why Drosophila? Short Generation Time Easy to Maintain
4 large chromosomes
Easily identifiable
markers (mutant
phenotypes)
For more information chapter 21 in Campbell.

13. Drosophila life cycle Egg Larva Pupa Adult
The whole life cycle is about 14 days at RTº

14. CHROMOSOMES
Female
Male
XX /XY
II III IV
Sex
Autosomal
Sex -chromosomes responsible for determining sex of an individual
Autosomal- chromosome that is not directly involved in determining sex.

15. Sexing adult flies (p.65)

16. ‘white eye’ phenotype WT
White eye mutant

17. Example Phenotypes
Ebony body
Curled wings
Vestigial wings
W.T.

18. Genotype Phenotype vg / vg +_ Nomenclature
Autosomal Genes (use + for wt allele)
Convention dictates that we denote genotype
in the following fashion:
Genotype
Phenotype
+ / +
wt (homozygous)
vg / +
wt (heterozygous)
vg / vg +_
mutant
wt (homo. or het.)

19. Autosomal Gene Nomenclature
Wild-type genes located on autosomal chromosomes are donated “+” by convention
(note that a separate system is used for sex-linked genes--module 10)
(Each allele is represented and is seperated by a “/”)
Genotype
Phenotype
+ / +
wt (homozygous)
vg / +
wt (heterozygous)
vg / vg
mutant

20. Terminology
Wild type- the normal or most common phenotype in a population.
Mutant Phenotype- traits that are alternates to the wild type. Changes due to mutations in the wild type. wt
ebony
White body

21. Monohybrid Cross
Cross breeding organisms while tracking one trait.

22. Example Monohybrid Cross
x vgvg
(Wildtype) (Vestigial)

23. F1 Genotypes vg +
+vg
F1 Phenotypic Ratio: wt

24. We then cross two F1 progeny……
+vg x vg
(heterozygous) (heterozygous)

26. Assignment I Worksheet
Refer to
Assignment I Worksheet

27. Dihybrid Cross
Cross breeding organisms while tracking two traits

28. Example Dihybrid Cross
x bb vgvg
(Wild type) (Black vestigial)
This is not the cross that you will design on your worksheets.
See worksheet for Assignment I for fly lab and complete the dihybrid cross.

29. Test Cross
A testcross is a valuable way to use a genetic cross to determine the genotype of an organism that shows a dominant phenotype but unknown gentoype.

30. Example Test Cross +_ x vgvg (Unknown) (Vestigial)
If the F1 progeny are all WT the genotype of the unknown fly is +/+.
If the F1 progeny are a mix of wild-type and vestigial flies, the genotype of the unknown fly is +vg.

31. Goals Observe Male/Female flies Observe various phenotypes of flies
Comprehend:
Test Cross
Monohybrid Cross
Dihybrid Cross
Chi Square Test
View these all in virtual flylab.