Witnessing Evolution First Hand: A K–12 Laboratory Exercise in Genetics & Evolution Using Drosophila

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. . lectures and detailed instructions are available for download at http://www.biology.duke.edu/noorlab/ flyevolution.html, and educators are free to modify them for their individual use. MaterialsJ J J Carolina Biological Supply Natural Selection with Drosophila Kit (includes below items plus Teacher Manual and Student Guide): 171995. H o w t o d o i t

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