Drosophila
Lab fly genus
Drosophila is a genus of small flies, commonly called fruit flies or vinegar flies, attracted to fermenting fruit.
One species, *Drosophila melanogaster*, has been central to genetics research for over a century—its short generation time, visible mutations, and simple chromosomes make it ideal for studying heredity: The lab maintained dozens of Drosophila cultures.
Small insect near produce
- insectSix-legged invertebrate
- wingsLimbs for flight
- compound eyesMulti-lensed visual organs
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
diptera · larvae · pupae · metamorphosis · exoskeleton · bristles · segmentation · spiracles
Science of hereditary transmission
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- geneHereditary information unit
chromosome · inheritance · phenotype · genotype · Morgan · white-eye · transgenic · screening
Seat of cognition
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
- behaviorManner of conducting oneself
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
memory · courtship · aggression · sleep · olfaction · vision · period · timeless
Formation of early life
- body planOrganism's fundamental structural arrangement
- segmentationDivision into sections
- gastrulationEmbryo forms primary layers
- neurogenesisNew nerve cell formation
gradient · Hox genes · nanos · dorsal · ventral · anterior · posterior · cell fate
fruit fly
Small insect near produce
- insectSix-legged invertebrate
- wingsLimbs for flight
- compound eyesMulti-lensed visual organs
diptera · antennae · larvae · pupae · metamorphosis · exoskeleton · bristles · segmentation · spiracles · thorax
genetics
Science of hereditary transmission
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
gene · chromosome · inheritance · phenotype · genotype · Morgan · white-eye · transgenic · screening · crosses
brain
Seat of cognition
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
- behaviorManner of conducting oneself
learning · memory · courtship · aggression · sleep · olfaction · vision · period · timeless · neural circuits
embryogenesis
Formation of early life
- body planOrganism's fundamental structural arrangement
- segmentationDivision into sections
- gastrulationEmbryo forms primary layers
neurogenesis · gradient · Hox genes · nanos · dorsal · ventral · anterior · posterior · cell fate · differentiation
vials
Small sealed containers
agar · incubator · contamination · mites · mold · temperature · humidity
Drosophilamosquito
Blood-feeding flying pest
tsetse fly · Anopheles · housefly · blowfly · bot fly
DrosophilaHomo sapiens
Scientific name for humans
primate · human · mammal · vertebrate · chimpanzee