Evan Rusch

Ms. McCarthy
AP Bio
Analysis of the Genotypes and Phenotypes of Drosophila Offspring
Intro
The goal of this experiment was to determine the heredity of traits that are passed from
generation to generation. This information may be of use when determining disease heredity in
humans as well. Using observed traits, we can accurately predict the number of offspring that
will also inherit those traits as well.
Hypothesis
If two adults with known traits are crossed, then it is possible to predict the genotypes and
phenotypes of the offspring.
Materials
An incubator
A microscope
Flies
Mating Jars
Procedures
1: The flies were induced into an unconscious state and examined carefully under the
microscope.
2: A select number of flies were chosen to breed in the mating jars for two weeks. After these
two weeks, the offspring were analyzed, and the process was repeated once more.

3: Using the microscope, the offspring were observed again, and a chi-squared analysis was
performed in order to determine if our hypothesis was acceptable.
Data
The first cross performed was a sepia-eyed male with a wild-eyed female. The parents
produced all heterozygous offspring. When these new offspring were bred, they produced 75%
wild type and 25% sepia type offspring. This evidence shows that the trait that links sepia and
wild type eye color is autosomal, and wild type is dominant over sepia type.
The second cross compared wing shape and eye color. A normal-winged male with sepia
eyes was crossed with a vestigial-winged female with wild eyes. All offspring produced were
heterozygous dominant, displaying wild eyes and normal wings without fail. These new
offspring bred and produced a multitude of allelic combinations. These combinations were in
accordance with the hypothesis, because chi-squared analysis showed that the hypothesis and
data were in statistical accordance. This cross demonstrated that the wing shape and eye color
traits are autosomal, with normal wings dominant to vestigial, and wild eyes dominant to sepia.
The final cross was a white-eyed female with a wild-eyed male. The offspring produced
had eye color that varied depending on the organisms sex. Males had all white eyes, and females
had all wild eyes. Already it is possible to decipher that the trait for white eyes is sex-linked and
recessive. The offspring produced were also gender-specific, and when the data was tested in a
chi-square analysis, the hypothesis was accepted. White eyes are, in statistically proven fact, a
sex-linked recessive trait.