Mapping Genes
Mapping Genes
Its one thing to know that gene areas of DNA code for proteins; its another level of complexity to figure out where specifically the gene is located. Once a gene is located or mapped, it is possible to study it and even alter it with genetic technologies.
Learning Objective: Explain what is means to map a gene, including the basic process and historical use of fruit flies and crossover data.
Gene mapping is locating genes in specific areas of chromosomal DNA. Much of the work on locating genes has been done in laboratory animals, including fruit flies.
This video provides an overview of fruit flies, including why they are used in genetics research. Fruit flies are so significant in studying inheritance, they will be introduced here and continue in the next section of this guide.
Watch this video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.
This is a colony of flightless fruit flies that have mutations rendering their wings incapable of flight. They do jump, but have difficulty eluding predators and are frequently used to feed reptiles.
The entire life cycle of the most common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is studied extensively, through its egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Fruit fly larvae are large enough that you can see physical details with minimal magnification.
Fruit flies have been used extensively to study cellular processes, including meiosis. From the mitosis and meiosis section, meiosis produces _________ and _________.
During meiosis, when the chromosomes replicate, there is an opportunity for crossing over. This video demonstrates what this means and why it is significant.
In case you have never watched fruit flies for any length of time, you may be surprised that the adults exhibit complex behaviors in their short lives. We will have more on studying animal behaviors in module #9.
Our fruit fly colony has taken over the kitchen; in case you think they are defenseless, this is their response to being trapped in a container.
The next section explores why fruit flies and other species are selected for use in laboratory experiments.
Check your knowledge – Mapping Genes
Review your notes. Can you explain how fruit flies are used to research inheritance? If so, move forward to the next page.
Learning Objective:
Explain what is means to map a gene, including the basic process and historical use of fruit flies and crossover data.
Go back to the Comparative Genomes Page
Go forward to the Laboratory Animals Page
Genomes Contents
Complete all five of these sections before taking the quiz and submitting your media piece.
This Module
8: Why does it look like this?
This Guide
8B: Genomes
Products Information
8B: Quiz & Media
