Using A Molecular Marker to Study Genetic Equilibrium in Drosophila melanogaster

 

Rodney J. Scott

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2001, Volume 22

Abstract

Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), genetic variation in a laboratory population of Drosophila is characterized. The population contains flies with two variants of a molecular marker. DNA from individual flies is amplified by PCR, generating products which are either “long” or “short” when visualized on an agarose gel. Three PCR “genotypes” (long/long, long/short, and short/short) are distinguishable and should be present in Hardy-Weinberg frequencies. The exercise requires one session for grinding flies and preparing PCR reactions, and one for conducting and interpreting gel electrophoresis. PCR can be conducted with a standard thermal cycler, or using “hand cycling” with two water baths.

Keywords:  Drosophila, Hardy-Weinburg genetic equilibrium, molecular marker, PCR

Clemson University (2000)