Hi. I just completed a lab in my AP Bio class where we tested Drosophila melanog

Question

Hi. I just completed a lab in my AP Bio class where we tested Drosophila melanogaster with various fluids to see if they had a preference. When testing water and sugar water on opposite ends of the "choice chamber" (a plastic bottle) they seemed to prefer plain water over sugar water. When I asked my AP Bio teacher why this would be, he gave me a hint that it might be related to the fruit fly's female life cycle. Does this have anything to do with virgin fruit flies that need to wait to lay their eggs in fruit (or sweet substances) but don't need to be attracted to it otherwise? I haven't had any luck finding anything on my textbook or online. Thank you. Isabella

Explanation / Answer

Nutrition has an important role in reproduction and especially fecundity in case of females. Some insects require water, while others require carbohydrates to produce eggs. The flies like Calliphora can be alive for longer periods on water and sugar alone. The female flies has to consume at least one protein meal for better egg laying capacity.

The animals that eat less live longer. The dietary restriction without malnutrition prolongs the life of an organism. During egg laying stage, the female drosophila prefers water over sugars to increase its life span. This in turn affects the egg laying capacity where production of number of eggs will be high.  

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse H
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.