Question

Scientists often use fruit flies as a method to test hypotheses about human genes. Why are fruit flies advantageous in the study of human inheritance? They can self-pollinate. They lack nucleic acids. They are very different from humans. They reproduce quickly and take up little space.

Answer 1

Commonly known as 'fruit-fly', the scientific name of this organism is Drosophilla melanogaster(in intalics). They are widely used organisms for genetic research work in animal kingdom because of the following reasons:-

1. Fruit-flies can reproduce really quick. Female fruit flies can lay about 100 eggs during their entire life-span.

2. Fruit flies are "low-maintenance organisms" , they are stored in vials in labs.

3. Their size is very compatible for lab work. They are neither too big like rats or rabbits, nor too small like bacteria.

4. Besides, somatic cells of fruit-flies have 8 chromosomes only. This helps in studying genetic phenomena like mutations, gene mapping etc. In fact, fruit-fly is a "model-organism" i.e. it has its entire genome sequenced for the purpose of genetic research work. 

Answer 2

Thanks for the question!

It is definitely a very interesting question to solve and do some brainstorming.

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The 'fruit-fly', Drosophilla melanogaster are used for the following reasons:-

1. They reproduce quickly.
2. They consume little space.
3. A gamete carries one allele for a gene.
4. They require low maintenance.
5. They can be easily stored in labs.


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Hope it helps and solves your query!!