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

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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

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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.

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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

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