Drosophila as model organism Flashcards
What type of research approach is used when using model organisms?
Comparative approach
How many major chromosomes do flies have?
3
What method did Jerry Hirsch use for understanding genetic architecture?
Chromosomal substitution strains
What are the four steps of neurogenetics studies by Benzer?
- Make a random mutant
- Screen for a behavioural phenotype
- Track down the genes responsible for the phenotype
- Fine cellular and molecular basis of behaviour based on those genes
What substance do you use to make mutants?
ethane methyl sulfonate (EMS)
What change does EMS produce in the nucleotides?
G gets the bonding properties of A
How do you select for homozygous mutations?
Using balancer chromosomes
What is the name of a giant chromosome?
Polytene chromosome
How does a polytene chromosome become so big?
10 rounds of endoreplication that don’t undergo cell division
What type or flies are selected to maintain the line after crossing with balance chromosome?
Balanced heterozygous siblings
How is the emergence of adults from pupa called?
Eclosion
What gene controls eclosion?
Period
Where did the mutations occur in order for complementation to occur?
different mutations on different genes
What is the condition to perform a complementation test?
A mutant homozygous recessive gene
What are two ways of finding the molecular mechanism after finding gene?
Northern blot or GAL4-UAS mutants
Who did Neurogenetics?
Benzer
Who did Behavioural Genetics?
Hirsch
What does GAL4 do?
Decides where the mutation is going to take place
When performing a complementation test what phenotype will help you detect the mutation and what does it mean (does complement/ does not complement)?
A mutant phenotype that means the deletion does not complement the mutation
How many genes are common between flies and humans?
75%
