Lecture 30: Using flies as a model organism

1.    Numerous experimental advantages e.g.,

i. Easy to culture

ii. Life cycle of just 14 days:

iii. Relatively easy to isolate and analyze mutations.  Some tools:

Polytene chromosomes:

Figure 8-4

P elements:

(Figure 21-27)

2.    Excellent model for understanding the development of a normal body plan, and the molecular basis of behavior.

Mutants that are defective in development e.g.,

(Fig. 25-22)

Patterns of gene expression reflect the order of genes on the chromosome:

(Fig. 25-23)

Similar expression of genes in flies and mice:

(Fig. 25-25)