ABSTRACT

This study investigated the inheritance patterns of one trait (wing shape) in fruit flies
(Drosophila Melanogaster). The phenotypic outcome of the monohybrid cross
between heterozygous F
1
individuals was observed to be in the expected Mendelian
ratio of 3:1. These results ratify the hypothesis that an independently assorting gene
controls the trait under investigation with two alleles. The wild-type phenotype was
found to be dominant to the vestigial phenotype.

INTRODUCTION
The fruit fly (Drosophila Melanogaster) is one of the most intensively studied
organisms in biology and functions as a model organism for the examination of
various biological activities found in advanced eukaryotes, including humans.
Drosophila is a multi-cellular organism in which many aspects of development and
behavior parallel those in human beings. These combined advantages have permitted
research in Drosophila to make formative contributions to the understanding of
fundamental biological processes. Moreover, it is an ideal organism to use when
investigating inheritance patterns due to the various phenotypes that it displays. In
monitoring the outcomes from a single-trait (monohybrid) cross, it is possible to
elucidate laws and patterns of inheritance in different organisms.

When traits follow simple Mendelian

The aim of the investigation was to determine the mode of inheritance of a single trait
(wing shape) in Drosophila Melanogaster. It was hypothesised that the trait follows
Mendelian laws of inheritance and is controlled by one independently assorting gene
with two alleles. All genotypes are equally viable. Moreover, it was predicted that
wild-type is dominant to vestigial.


METHOD
Students in a sizable first year genetics class were given a tube containing six
homozygous flies, three of each sex, which were to be bred. One sex must be wild-
type while the other must be vestigial. The tube also contained suitable food and
nutrients for the flies. After the initial homozygous parent flies were allowed to cross
over the course of a week, they were separated from the embryos and removed from
the tube. After a second week in which the F
1
individuals were allowed to breed, they
were also removed. During the final week, the F
2
individuals were separated
according to their phenotype (wild-type or vestigial) and scores from the entire class
was compiled.

The results gathered were analysed statistically for monohybrid ratios using the Chi-
square test (refer to Appendix for calculations).

RESULTS
The monohybrid cross (+
vg
vg x +
vg
vg) resulted in 75% wild-type and 25% vestigial
flies (please refer to Figure 1). The proportion of wild-type to vestigial flies
resembled the expected Mendelian ratios of 3:1 (Chi square test, X2= d.f =1, p>
0.05).





0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
Wildtype Vestigial
%

P
r
o
g
e
n
y

Phenotype





Figure 1: Percentage of F
2
progeny in each phenotype resulting from a monohybrid
cross in Drosophila Melanogaster.

DISCUSSION
The inheritance patterns of one trait, wing type, in Drosophila Melanogaster were
explored. The obtained results support the hypothesis that the trait was under the
control of an independently sorting gene with two alleles. As predicted, the long-wing
phenotype (wild-type) was dominant to the vestigial (mutant). The data from the
conducted monohybrid cross follows simple Mendelian inheritance patterns and the
expected ratios of 3:1 were acquired.

The differences in the wing type phenotypes result from a mutation in the vestigial
gene located on the second chromosome which codes for wing type. This recessive
(requires two copies to be expressed) mutation causes affected flies to have shortened
and shrivelled wings (vestigial) that limit the flies in numerous ways. The results
obtained signify that the allele coding for the typical long wings in flies is dominant to
the allele coding for the vestigial wing as the heterozygote F
1
individuals (+
vg
vg) all
possessed the wild-type wing. Independent assortment and segregation of alleles in F
2

individuals yielded three different genotypes (+
vg
+
vg
, +
vg
vg and vgvg) that code for
the two observed phenotypes (wild-type and vestigial). The vestigial phenotype is a
result of the homozygous genotype vgvg while the wild-type is produced by either the
+
vg
+
vg
or the +
vg
vg phenotype (please refer to Appendix I).

The study could be enhanced by reducing the number of scorers. The ability of the
students to identify the phenotype of the flies accurately based on microscopic
observations may have impacted the validity and reliability of the obtained data.
Future studies on the inheritance patterns of other phenotypic variations in the wing
types of D. Melanogaster such the curly and wingless phenotypes would considerably
enrich the results obtained and may demonstrate different patterns of inheritance.

ACHKNOLWEDGEMENTS
Many thanks go to my lovely partner, Erin Wigney, for her teamwork spirit and
cooperation and to my beautiful demonstrator, Vanessa, for her ongoing support and
constructive feedback.

REFERENCES
Akam, M. (1987), The molecular basis for metameric pattern in the Drosophila
embryo. Development Biology, 101: 1-22.
Beckingham, K.M., Armstrong, J.D., Texada, M.J., Munjaal, R., Baker, D.A. (2005).
Drosophila Melanogaster -the model organism of choice for the complex biology of
multi-cellular organisms. Gravitational and Space Biology, 18(2), 17-30.
Brooker, R.J., (2009), Genetics analysis and principles, 3
rd
edn, McGraw-Hill, New
York.
Williams, J., Bell, J.B., Carroll, S.B. (1991). Control of Drosophila wing and haltere
development by the nuclear vestigial gene product. Genes Dev, 5, 2481-2495.
doi:10.1101/gad.5.12b.2481.
Williams, J., Bell, J.B. (1988). Molecular organization of the vestigial region in
Drosophila melanogaster. EMBO J, 7, 1355-1363.






APPENDIX I. Monohybrid cross and Chi square calculations to identify the
goodness of fit between expected and observed data.
The normal (wild-type) allele is long-winged (+
vg
) and the mutant allele is vestigial
(vgvg).

Phenotypes and genotypes of Monohybrid Cross.
Parents phenotype Long-winged Vestigial
genotype +
vg
+
vg
X vgvg
gametes +
vg
vg
F
1
Long-winged
genotype +
vg
vg
gametes +
vg
vg

Punnett square to calculate the expected F2 ratios.

+
vg
vg
+
vg
+
vg
+
vg
+
vg
vg
vg +
vg
vg vgvg

F2 genotypes +
vg
+
vg
: 2+
vg
vg: vgvg
3 long-winged: 1 vestigial

Genetic hypothesis: the trait is controlled by one independently sorting gene with
two alleles, +
vg
is dominant to vg. The f1 produces two gametes that combine
randomly. All gametes are equally viable.

Null hypothesis (Statistical Prediction): Referring to the genetic hypothesis above, a
ratio of 3 long-winged: 1 vestigial F
2
phenotype is expected.

Phenotype Observed Expected (O-E)
2
/E
Long-
winged 11381 11473.5 0.746
Vestigial 3917 3824.5 2.237

2.983

1
2
= 2.98 P>0.05

Conclusion
Referring to the
2
table above (1 degree of freedom), it is seen that P> 0.05 making
the differences between the observed and expected data insignificant and may
attributed to sampling error. The results of the experiment do support the 3:1
segregation hypothesis. Thus, the trait is controlled by an independently sorting gene
with two different alleles.