What are some genetic traits of a fruit fly?


Quick Answer

Fruit flies have four pairs of chromosomes in each individual cell that control characteristics such as eye color, wing structure, body color and head shape. Normal fruit flies, or "wildtypes," have straight, long wings, black and tan striped bodies, bright red eyes and short antennae.

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Full Answer

Fruit flies are commonly studied by biologists because their reproductive cycles are very short and their life cycles are similarly brief. Genetic mutation in fruit flies is simple to identify because their genomes are not as complex as those of mammals or humans; if the eyes of a particular fruit fly are blue or yellow rather than red, scientists can easily identify and isolate the exact gene that has been altered or mutated.

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