Genetics - Thomas Morgan & Fruit flies - Lesson 10 | Don't Memorise
Infinity Learn NEET・8 minutes read
Fruit flies share genes with humans and are used in Genetics due to their similar genetic makeup. Thomas Hunt Morgan used fruit flies to confirm the Chromosomal theory of inheritance, demonstrating the passing of genes from one generation to the next.
Insights
- Fruit flies, like Drosophila melanogaster, share approximately 60% of their genes with humans, making them a crucial tool in studying neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s due to their genetic similarities.
- Thomas Hunt Morgan's groundbreaking experiments with fruit flies not only confirmed Boveri and Sutton’s Chromosomal theory of inheritance but also established the foundation for modern genetics by demonstrating the linkage of genes to specific chromosomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of fruit flies in genetic research.
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Recent questions
Why are fruit flies used in Genetics research?
Due to their genetic similarity to humans.
Who is known as the father of experimental genetics?
Thomas Hunt Morgan
What did Thomas Hunt Morgan discover about eye color genes in fruit flies?
Eye color genes are sex-linked on the "X" chromosome.
How did Thomas Hunt Morgan contribute to Genetics research?
Validated Mendelian genetics and supported the chromosomal theory of inheritance.
What is the genetic similarity between fruit flies and humans?
Around 60% of genes are shared.
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Summary
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Fruit Flies: Key in Genetic Research
- Fruit flies are commonly found hovering over deteriorating bananas and are used as model organisms in Genetics due to their genetic similarity to humans.
- The common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, shares around 60% of its genes with humans, making it a valuable tool for studying neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
- Thomas Hunt Morgan, known as the father of experimental genetics, utilized fruit flies in his experiments to confirm Boveri and Sutton’s Chromosomal theory of inheritance.
- Morgan’s famous experiment involved crossing a white-eyed male fruit fly with a red-eyed female, leading to the discovery that eye color genes are sex-linked on the "X" chromosome.
- By representing genes with letters and symbols, Morgan demonstrated that the genes for eye color in fruit flies are located on the "X" chromosome, proving the passing of genes from one generation to the next.
- Morgan’s experiments not only validated Mendelian genetics but also supported the chromosomal theory of inheritance, showcasing the significance of fruit flies in genetic research.
