Fly Lab 1 Answer Sheet
This answer sheet is provided to you for taking notes as you read the module readings and
complete the lab exercise according to the directions below. Prior to taking the quiz for this lab,
fill out this answer sheet completely as you perform the lab. The multiple-choice answers are
not included on this answer sheet. When you take the quiz, you must choose the BEST
answer based on the knowledge you gained from the readings and completing this lab
exercise.
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Instructions for Fly Lab
Fly lab is an excellent way to experiment with fruit fly genetics without the real lab problems of
keeping the flies alive and preventing their escape, a constant annoyance in genetics labs! You
will have the opportunity to perform virtual crosses involving many different actual fruit fly traits.
Each normal trait is usually called the “wild” trait (represented by the symbol “+”) and is often
dominant over the recessive mutant trait. The first two flies mated are the parents (P
generation). Their offspring are the first filial generation (the F1 generation). When two F1
individuals are mated, their offspring are the second filial generation (the F2 generation). Be
careful when performing the lab experiment, entering data, and answering questions below to
make sure that you are referring to the correct generation (F1 or F2).
· Be aware, the abbreviations for the mutations in this activity are all capitalized to
not give you a clue as to its dominance or recessiveness. These are
abbreviations of the phenotype and do not follow the traditional genetic
abbreviations.
1. Click on the link to the Virtual Fly Lab on the M2 Lab page.
2. Follow the instructions below.
3. Be sure to complete the answer sheet before you begin the quiz and use your answer sheet
to help you answer the questions.
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Monohybrid Crosses (each cross involves only one trait)
Enter data you obtain for the following crosses and answer questions on this answer sheet. (NOTE:
The traits used in this Module 2 Lab are not sex-linked. Therefore, during the Analyze portion of the lab
you can click the “ignore sex” button for these crosses. In the next lab for Module 3 we will study sex-
linked traits and you cannot click the “ignore sex” button.)
Question: In this lab exercise, is it acceptable to click the "ignore sex" button for the crosses?
Yes, because the trait of the flies are not sex-linked in this lab
1. a. Perform a monohybrid cross between a wild-type female fly and a male fly with sepia eyes.
(NOTE: The sepia mutation is not lethal and it is not sex-linked. You will be able to tell whether it is
dominant or recessive by the results of your cross.) Show results for the F1 offspring. (NOTE: You will
use these F1 flies in the next cross.)
ENTER DATA HERE: (N is the number of flies; the phenotype is + or SE)
Results for Cross #1. Sex is ignored. F1 offspring.
N = 976 ; Phenotype = +
Observe
Phenotype Proportion
d
+wild type 976 1.0000
Total 976 1.0000
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross: Female – wild-type: +/+ (homozygous dominant)
Male – Sepia eyes: SE/SE (homozygous recessive) = SE + (heterozygous)
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross: SE + (heterozygous) = + or SE
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
SE SE
+ SE + SE +
+ SE + SE +
Question: Are the phenotypes of the F1 offspring what you would have predicted for this cross: why or
why not?
Yes, the phenotype of the F1 offspring is what we would have predicted for this cross because
the sepia eye color is recessive, we would expect all F1 offspring to display the wild-type
phenotype.
Question: What do the results tell you about the dominance or recessiveness of the sepia allele for eye
color?
The results suggest that the wild-type allele for eye color is dominant over the sepia allele.
Since all F1 offspring displayed the wild-type phenotype, it indicates that they inherited at least
one wild-type allele from the wild-type parent.
1. b. Perform a cross between two F1 offspring from the previous cross to produce an F2 generation.
(NOTE: You will use these F2 flies in the Chi-square tests below.)
ENTER DATA HERE:
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored. F2 Offspring
N = 759 ; Phenotype = + N = 237 ; Phenotype = SE
Observe
Phenotype Proportion
d
+ (wild type) 759 0.7620
SE (sepia eyes) 237 0.2380
Total 996 1.0000
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross: Female – Wild-type SE + (heterozygous) & Male –
Wild-type SE + (heterozygous) = SE SE , SE+, ++
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross: SE SE , SE+, ++ = + or SE
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
SE +
SE SE SE SE +
+ SE + ++
Question: Are the phenotypes of the F2 offspring what you would have predicted for this cross: why or
why not?
Yes, because the phenotypic ratio of 3:1 is as expected when F1 offsprings are crossed
1. c. Perform a Chi-square analysis on the F2 offspring with a predicted 4:1 ratio.
Chi-square Analysis Instructions: In the Analyze tab, check the box for “Include a test of
hypothesis.” In the hypothesis boxes, enter a 4 (for the larger group of offspring) and a 1 (for the
smaller group of offspring). Click “Test your hypothesis” which will give you a Chi-squared test
statistic. If it is close to zero, your ratio will be accepted. If your Chi-squared test statistic is
large, your ratio will be rejected.
ENTER DATA HERE:
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored. Includes a test of hypothesis.
Phenotype Observed Proportion Hypothesis Probability Expected chi-squared term(O–E)2/E
+ (wild type) 759 0.7620 4 0.8000 796.80 1.79
SE(sepia eyes) 237 0.2380 1 0.2000 199.20 7.17
Total 996 1.0000 5 1.0000 996.00 8.97
Results for the Chi-squared Test
Chi-squared test statistic: 8.97
Degrees of freedom: 1
Level of significance: 0.0028
Question: Should the 4:1 ratio be accepted or rejected?
The ratio should be rejected because the chi-squared value is higher than 1
Question: Was this what you expected: why or why not?
No, this was not what we expected. The ratio gives a higher outcome for sepia eyes trait.
1. d. Repeat the Chi-square analysis with a new 3:1 ratio. Perform a Chi-square analysis on the F2
offspring with a predicted 3:1 ratio.
ENTER DATA HERE:
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored. Includes a test of hypothesis.
Phenotype Observed Proportion Hypothesis Probability Expected chi-squared term(O–E)2/E
+ (wild type) 759 0.7620 3 0.7500 747.00 0.19
SE (sepia eyes) 237 0.2380 1 0.2500 249.00 0.58
Total 996 1.0000 4 1.0000 996.00 0.77
Results for the Chi-squared Test
Chi-squared test statistic: 0.77
Degrees of freedom: 1
Level of significance: 0.3799
Question: Should the 3:1 ratio be accepted or rejected)?
The ratio should be accepted because it is close to zero.
Question: Was this what you expected—why or why not? Is a 3:1 ratio the correct expected
phenotypic ratio for this experiment?
Yes, this is what we expected because it indicates that ¼ of the total fly population is sepia and
the expected ratios of wild type to sepia eyes in the F2 offspring is acceptable.
(NOTE: For the next three sets of data you will use three different fruit fly traits and perform crosses
with wild type flies. These traits were chosen because they are not sex-linked and they are not lethal;
they show normal dominant/recessive inheritance. For each trait, you will be able to determine whether
it is dominant or recessive by studying the offspring and interpreting the results.)
2. a. Perform a monohybrid cross between a wild-type female fly and a male fly with apterous
wings.
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F1 offspring.
Results for Cross #1. Sex is ignored.
Phenotype Observed Proportion
+ (wild type) 1017 1.0000
Total 1017 1.0000
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F2 offspring.
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored.
Phenotype Observed Proportion
+ (wild type) 745 0.7420
AP (apterous wings) 259 0.2580
Total 1004 1.0000
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for Chi-Square Test of the F2 generation—predicted 3:1 ratio.
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored. Includes a test of hypothesis.
chi-squared
Phenotype Observed Proportion Hypothesis Probability Expected
term(O–E)2/E
+ (wild type) 745 0.7420 3 0.7500 753.00 0.08
AP (apterous
259 0.2580 1 0.2500 251.00 0.25
wings)
Total 1004 1.0000 4 1.0000 1004.00 0.34
Results for the Chi-squared Test
Chi-squared test statistic: 0.34
Degrees of freedom: 1
Level of significance: 0.5598
Question: Is the apterous wing trait dominant or recessive? How can you tell?
The apterous wing trait is recessive because it doesn’t show up in F1 generation and they are
100% wildtype.
2. b. Perform a monohybrid cross between a wild-type female fly and a male fly with curved wings.
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F1 offspring.
Results for Cross #1. Sex is ignored.
Phenotype Observe Proportion
d
+ (wild type) 990 1.0000
Total 990 1.0000
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F2 offspring.
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored.
Phenotype Observed Proportion
+ (wild type) 774 0.7522
C (curved wings) 255 0.2478
Total 1029 1.0000
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for Chi-Square Test of the F2 generation—predicted 3:1 ratio.
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored. Includes a test of hypothesis.
chi-squared
Phenotype Observed Proportion Hypothesis Probability Expected
term(O–E)2/E
+ (wild type) 774 0.7522 3 0.7500 771.75 0.01
C (curved
255 0.2478 1 0.2500 257.25 0.02
wings)
Total 1029 1.0000 4 1.0000 1029.00 0.03
Results for the Chi-squared Test
Chi-squared test statistic: 0.03
Degrees of freedom: 1
Level of significance: 0.8713
Question: Is the curved wing trait dominant or recessive? How can you tell?
The curved wing trait is recessive. Because the F1 GENERATION only expresses the dominant
trait wild type.
2. c. Perform a monohybrid cross between a wild-type female fly and a male fly with lobe eyes.
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F1 offspring.
Results for Cross #1. Sex is ignored.
Phenotype Observed Proportion
L (lobe eyes) 1004 1.0000
Total 1004 1.0000
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F2 offspring.
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored.
Phenotype Observed Proportion
+ (wild type) 270 0.2614
L (lobe eyes) 763 0.7386
Total 1033 1.0000
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for Chi-Square Test of the F2 generation—predicted 3:1 ratio.
Results for Cross #2. Sex is ignored. Includes a test of hypothesis.
chi-squared
Phenotype Observed Proportion Hypothesis Probability Expected
term(O–E)2/E
+ (wild type) 270 0.2614 1 0.2500 258.25 0.53
L (lobe
763 0.7386 3 0.7500 774.75 0.18
eyes)
Total 1033 1.0000 4 1.0000 1033.00 0.71
Results for the Chi-squared Test
Chi-squared test statistic: 0.71
Degrees of freedom: 1
Level of significance: 0.3985
Question: Is the lobe eyes trait dominant or recessive? How can you tell?
The lobe eye trait is dominant because this trait is 100% expressed in the F1 generation.
Question: This Drosophila program does not allow you to choose the number of offspring produced by
each cross. For each cross, if you were able to choose a different number of offspring produced: 100,
then 1000, then 10,000, what would you expect from your results? What effect would you expect from
varying the number of offspring? In the cross that produced 10,000 offspring, would you expect the
ratios obtained to conform more closely to the expected 3:1 ratio?
Increasing the sample size of offspring provides a larger pool of data, and this will reduce the
impact of random sampling errors. The observed ratios are likely to be closer to the expected
ratios.
With an even larger sample size of 10,000 offspring, random sampling errors are further
minimized. The observed ratios are expected to be much closer to the expected ratios due to
the larger sample size.
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Dihybrid Cross (each cross involves two traits)
Question: Develop a hypothesis to predict the results of the following cross (dihybrid cross: ebony
body female crossed with a vestigial winged male). Describe the phenotypic ratio that you would expect
to see in the F1 generation of this cross. Explain your answer.
Question: Describe the phenotypic ratio that you would expect to see in the F2 generation of this cross.
Explain your answer. (NOTE: You will use this ratio in the Chi-Square Test below.)
3. Perform a dihybrid cross between an ebony body female and a vestigial winged male:
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F1 offspring.
Results for Cross #1. Sex is ignored.
Observe
Phenotype Proportion
d
+ (wild type) 1033 1.0000
Total 1033 1.0000
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: How does the observed phenotypic ratio for the F1 generation compare with your predicted
phenotypic ratio? Explain your answer.
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F2 offspring (obtained by crossing an F1 female with an F1
male).
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for Chi-Square Test of the F2 generation. (NOTE: use the ratio
from your hypothesis above.)
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: How does the observed phenotypic ratio for the F2 generation compare with your predicted
phenotypic ratio? Explain your answer.
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Trihybrid Cross (each cross involves three traits)
Question: Develop a hypothesis to predict the results of the following cross (trihybrid cross: wild-type
female fly and a male fly with dumpy wing shape, ebony body color, and shaven bristles). Describe the
phenotypic ratio that you would expect to see in the F1 generation of this cross. Explain your answer.
Question: Describe the phenotypic ratio that you would expect to see in the F2 generation of this cross.
Explain your answer. (NOTE: You will use this ratio in the Chi-Square Test below.)
4. Perform a trihybrid cross between an wild-type female and a male with dumpy wing shape, ebony
body color, and shaven bristles:
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F1 offspring.
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: How does the observed phenotypic ratio for the F1 generation compare with your predicted
phenotypic ratio? Explain your answer.
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for the F2 offspring (obtained by crossing an F1 female with
an F1 male).
ENTER DATA HERE: Show results for Chi-Square Test of the F2 generation. (NOTE: use the
ratio from your hypothesis above.)
Question: How does the observed phenotypic ratio for the F2 generation compare with your predicted
phenotypic ratio? Explain your answer.
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Monohybrid Testcrosses
A testcross is performed in order to determine whether a fly demonstrating a dominant trait is
homozygous or heterozygous for that trait. In a testcross, you cross the unknown fly that shows the
dominant trait with a recessive fly to see whether all offspring show the dominant trait (revealing that
the unknown fly was homozygous for the dominant trait) or whether half of the offspring show the
recessive trait (revealing that the unknown fly was heterozygous).
In the following crosses, the wild trait is dominant and the brown trait for eye color is recessive. You will
compare the offspring of homozygous wild flies to the offspring of heterozygous wild flies, when each is
crossed with a recessive brown-eyed fly.
5. Perform a monohybrid cross between a wild-type female fly and a male fly with brown eyes.
Show results for the F1 offspring. (NOTE: You will use one of these F1 flies in the next cross.)
ENTER DATA HERE:
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: By examining the offspring, determine whether the wild-type female parent was
homozygous or heterozygous for eye color. How did you arrive at this conclusion?
Question: Are the F1 offspring homozygous or heterozygous for eye color? How did you arrive at this
conclusion?
6. Now perform a cross between one female wild-type F1 offspring from the previous cross and a
male fly with brown eyes.
ENTER DATA HERE:
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: Even though you already knew the genotype of the wild-type fly used in this cross, how can
you tell by examining the offspring of this cross whether the wild-type fly in this cross was homozygous
or heterozygous for eye color?
NOTE: One of the characteristics that make fruit flies excellent model organisms for genetics
experiments is their large number of offspring. In humans and other mammals that have only a few
offspring, it is much harder to determine whether an individual is homozygous or heterozygous for a
dominant trait. If any of the offspring show the recessive trait, then you know the parent was
heterozygous. If all offspring show the dominant trait, you cannot be sure that the parent was
homozygous for the dominant trait because there are not enough offspring to be sure of the second
allele.
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Dihybrid Testcrosses
In the following crosses, the wild trait is dominant and the brown trait for eye color and ebony trait for
body color are both recessive. You will compare the offspring of homozygous wild flies to the offspring
of heterozygous wild flies, when each is crossed with a recessive brown-eyed fly with an ebony body.
7. Perform a monohybrid cross between a wild-type female fly and a male fly with brown eyes and
ebony body.
Show results for the F1 offspring. (NOTE: You will use one of these F1 flies in the next cross.)
ENTER DATA HERE:
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: By examining the offspring, determine whether the wild-type female parent was
homozygous or heterozygous for eye color and body color. How did you arrive at this conclusion?
Question: Are the F1 offspring homozygous or heterozygous for eye color and body color? How did
you arrive at this conclusion?
8. Now perform a cross between one female wild-type F1 offspring from the previous cross and a
male fly with brown eyes and ebony body.
ENTER DATA HERE:
PUNNETT SQUARE:
List the genotypes of the flies in this cross:
List the gametes produced by each fly in this cross:
Show the Punnett Square for the above cross.
Question: Even though you already knew the genotype of the wild-type fly used in this cross, how can
you tell by examining the offspring of this cross whether the wild-type fly in this cross was homozygous
or heterozygous for eye color?
Question: What was the phenotypic ratio for the offspring resulting from this testcross?
SUMMARY
Actual lab experiments performed in a real laboratory are invaluable for gaining real world experience if
you plan to work in that particular field performing those particular lab procedures. However, virtual labs
can be even more effective in learning to evaluate the data produced by these lab procedures. Explain
how Drosophila Lab enables you to manipulate data quickly in order to interpret the results of many
different fruit fly crosses. Give your opinion about the benefits and/or drawbacks of using this virtual lab.
Summary paragraph:
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END OF LAB
