Drosophila melanogaster is a species of small fruit fly. The name “melanogaster” comes from the Greek words for “black” and “belly”, referring to the black abdominal markings characteristic of this species. It is commonly used in genetic research because it has a short generation time (about two weeks) and can be easily mutated.
This species was first described by Karl Wilhelm von Kölliker in 1817, but it was not until Thomas Hunt Morgan’s work in the early 20th century that its importance in genetics was realized. Morgan used Drosophila melanogaster to study inheritance patterns, and he showed that genes are located on chromosomes and are responsible for traits such as eye color. His work laid the foundations for modern genetics.
Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively studied since then, and it is now one of the best-understood organisms at the molecular level. Its genome has been sequenced, and many of its genes have been characterized. In addition to its value in basic research, Drosophila melanogaster has also been used to study human diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
If you would like to learn more about Drosophila melanogaster or other model organisms used in scientific research, please visit your local library or bookstore