Witnessing Evolution First Hand: A K-2 Laboratory Exercise in Genetics & Evolution Using Drosophila

Caiti S. S. Heil; Brenda Manzano-Winkler; Mika J. Hunter; Juliet K. F. Noor; Mohamed A. F. Noor

doi:10.1525/abt.2013.75.2.8

How to translate text using browser tools

1 February 2013 Witnessing Evolution First Hand: A K-2 Laboratory Exercise in Genetics & Evolution Using Drosophila

Caiti S. S. Heil, Brenda Manzano-Winkler, Mika J. Hunter, Juliet K. F. Noor, Mohamed A. F. Noor

Author Affiliations +

The American Biology Teacher, 75(2):116-119 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2013.75.2.8

Abstract

We present a laboratory exercise that leverages student interest in genetics to observe and understand evolution by natural selection. Students begin with white-eyed fruit fly populations, to which they introduce a single advantageous variant (one male with red eyes). The superior health and vision associated with having the red-eye-color allele confers a fitness advantage, and the students can watch the spread of the allele within the population. The increasing numbers of red-eyed flies they observe over generations demonstrate evolution by natural selection. The students concurrently learn genetic principles, including basic inheritance and X-linkage.

©2013 by National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Request permission to photocopy or reproduce article content at the University of California Press's Rights and Permissions Web site at www.ucpressjournals.com/reprintinfo.asp.

Citation Download Citation

Caiti S. S. Heil, Brenda Manzano-Winkler, Mika J. Hunter, Juliet K. F. Noor, and Mohamed A. F. Noor "Witnessing Evolution First Hand: A K-2 Laboratory Exercise in Genetics & Evolution Using Drosophila," The American Biology Teacher 75(2), 116-119, (1 February 2013). https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2013.75.2.8

Published: 1 February 2013

KEYWORDS/PHRASES

PUBLICATION TITLE:

COLLECTION TITLE:

PUBLICATION YEARS