Evaluating the Effects of Natural Selection and Genetic Drift in Drosophila melanogaster
Elizabeth Welsh
Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2011, Volume 32
Abstract
This laboratory provides a “hands on” experimental approach to illustrate evolution in a semester-long study using red-eye and white-eye phenotypes of Drosophila melanogaster. Students set up and maintain small and large fly populations for several generations to observe the effects of genetic drift and natural selection. They record the phenotypes, calculate allele frequencies and at the end of the semester, submit a formal laboratory report on this experiment which includes chi-square tests, and graphs of allele frequencies, heterozygosity and Fst values. They gain valuable practical, analytical, and writing experience from this experiment.
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