Drosophila melanogaster
Drosophila melanogaster
Drosophila melanogaster (pronunciation: /drəˈsɒfɪlə mɛləˈnɒɡæstər/), commonly known as the fruit fly or vinegar fly, is a species of small fly belonging to the Drosophilidae family.
Etymology
The term Drosophila melanogaster comes from the Greek words drosos (dew) and phila (lover), and the Latin words melano (black) and gaster (belly). Thus, the term can be roughly translated as "black-bellied dew lover".
Description
Drosophila melanogaster is a small, yellow-brown fly with red eyes and a body length of about 3mm. The males have darker bodies and are slightly smaller than the females. The species is known for its rapid life cycle and high reproductive rate, which have made it a popular model organism in genetics and developmental biology.
Habitat and Distribution
Drosophila melanogaster is found worldwide, with the exception of extreme desert and high mountain environments. It is particularly common in human-modified environments, such as urban areas and farmland. The species is often found around rotting fruit, which serves as a food source for the larvae.
Use in Research
Drosophila melanogaster has been used extensively in genetic research for over a century. Its short life cycle, high reproductive rate, and relatively simple genome make it an ideal model organism for studying genetic principles and processes. Research on Drosophila melanogaster has contributed to our understanding of heredity, mutation, evolution, and developmental biology.
Related Terms
- Drosophilidae: The family of small flies to which Drosophila melanogaster belongs.
- Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms.
- Developmental biology: The study of the process by which animals and plants grow and develop.
- Model organism: A non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Drosophila melanogaster
- Wikipedia's article - Drosophila melanogaster
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