What is Drosophila in biology?
Drosophila melanogaster, known colloquially as the fruit fly, remains one of the most commonly used model organisms for biomedical science. For more than one hundred years, the low cost, rapid generation time, and excellent genetic tools have made the fly indispensable for basic research.
Why Drosophila is important for genetically research?
There are many technical advantages of using Drosophila over vertebrate models; they are easy and inexpensive to culture in laboratory conditions, have a much shorter life cycle, they produce large numbers of externally laid embryos and they can be genetically modified in numerous ways.
Why are Drosophila model organisms?
Due to their small size and minimal requirements, many Drosophila can be raised and tested within a small laboratory which does not have access time, space or funding. Genetic factors also make this fly an ideal model organism. D. melanogaster only has four pairs of chromosomes compared to 23 pairs in humans.
What classification is Drosophila?
InsectsFruit flies / Class
Why is Drosophila called?
Drosophila derived from the Greek word drósos means dew loving. They belong to the Droso–philidae family; and are most frequently known as fruit flies or often called vinegar, wine or pomace flies. Their main distinguishing character is to stay on fruits, which are ripped or rotten.
Why Drosophila is a model organism?
What are some interesting facts about Drosophila genes?
Like most organisms, Drosophila have the annoying property that most genes are named after their loss-of-function phenotype, i.e. the opposite of what they do. For instance, the white gene makes eyes red.
What is the life cycle of a Drosophila?
The Drosophila life cycle begins when eggs are laid. Eggs develop into larvae that develop into pupae that develop into adult flies. Females can lay one hundred eggs in a day. At 25°C, the time from fertilization to the appearance of adult flies is about ten days.
Why is Drosophila melanogaster used as a model organism?
Drosophila melanogaster, known colloquially as the fruit fly, remains one of the most commonly used model organisms for biomedical science. For more than one hundred years, the low cost, rapid generation time, and excellent genetic tools have made the fly indispensable for basic research.
Is Drosophila male or female chromosome 4?
Females are X/X and males are X/Y. Chromosome 4 is small and contains hardly any genes. Like most organisms, Drosophila have the annoying property that most genes are named after their loss-of-function phenotype, i.e. the opposite of what they do. For instance, the white gene makes eyes red.