Drosophila

Drosophila is a genus of flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, which are often referred to as "fruit flies" or more appropriately vinegar flies. The name Drosophila is derived from the Greek words "drosos" meaning dew, and "phila" meaning loving. This genus includes many species, the most famous of which is Drosophila melanogaster, widely used in genetic research.

Overview

The genus Drosophila contains about 1,500 species, which are distributed worldwide. The species Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively studied for over a century and has become one of the most important model organisms in genetics and developmental biology. The entire genome of Drosophila melanogaster was sequenced in 2000, providing a powerful tool for studying the molecular mechanisms of development, aging, behavior, and disease.

Biology

Drosophila species are small flies, typically 2-4 mm in length, with red eyes and a yellow-brown body. They have a short life cycle of about 10 days at room temperature, which allows for rapid genetic studies. Drosophila females lay their eggs in rotting fruit, where the larvae feed on the yeast and bacteria.

Genetics

The Drosophila genome is relatively small and compact, with about 14,000 genes on four chromosomes. Many fundamental genetic principles were first discovered in Drosophila, including the concept of genes, the nature of genetic mutations, and the role of chromosomes in inheritance.

Research

Drosophila has been used in research for over a century and has contributed to many important scientific discoveries. It is used as a model organism in studies of development, aging, behavior, and disease. Its short life cycle and ease of breeding make it an ideal organism for genetic studies.

See also

• Genetics
• Model organism
• Drosophila melanogaster
• Genome sequencing

References

Drosophila Resources
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