Practical lesson 3 General Genetics.

2017-18

Practical lesson 3
Construction linkage map:
1. Parental cross
Introduction
When studying the genetics of a trait, it is worthwhile crossing individuals with
variants of a trait and examining the progeny (as did Mendel with smooth and wrinkled
peas). The initial generation is called the parental generation (P) and a sub index is used
to distinguish them (P 1 and P 2 ). The progeny generation of this cross is called the first
filial generation (F 1 ). The individuals of this generation can be selfed (for example in
autogamous plants) or intercrossed (in animals or allogamous plants) to obtain the second
filial generation (F 2 ). The crosses can continue to produce more generations F 3 , F 4 , F 5 .....
Reciprocal crosses (P 1 x P 2 and P 2 x P 1 ) can be made to obtain F 1 and discover if the
direction of the cross has any influence.

It is also possible to make a backcross when we cross an F 1 individual with one

of the parental lines (BC 1 if it is with parental 1 and BC 2 if it is with parental 2). If we
perform all the crosses we obtain a complete family (see Figure 1).

Parental 1 Parental 2

F1

BC1 BC2

F2

Fig 1. Complete family of crosses.

The study of individuals of different generations produces data. This data can be
used in genetic analysis to check hypotheses and find the genetic control of a trait.

Objectives
Morphological characterization of two lines of Drosophila.
Obtain virgin females and males from both lines.
Make reciprocal crosses between both lines.

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Practical lesson 3 General Genetics. 2017-18

Materials
Organisms
Wild and mutant lines of Drosophila melanogaster
Products and equipment
Objective lenses
Ethyl ether
Plate of cork
Glass bottle
Small paintbrush
Glass vials
Glass jar for dead flies with alcohol (fly morgue).

Method
To observe, classify, and count flies we need to nap them with ether as in the first practical
lesson:

1. Carefully examine males and female from both lines and check differences.
2. Select 10 adult males and 10 female pupas (these will be the parental lines).
3. Put in the glass vials female pupas of one line with males of the other line and also
make a reciprocal cross.

DO NOT MISTAKENLY MAKE THE PROPER CROSS

4. Using a small paint brush, put the adult males on the wall inside of a vial that is lying on
its side, otherwise the flies can be trapped in the medium of the vial.
5. Once the flies awaken put the glass vial upright and put the flies into the
growing chamber to allow them to reproduce and obtain F 1 generation.

Do not leave bottles open, otherwise flies will escape or other flies will enter in
the bottle.

IMPORTANT!
Do not leave the ether bottle open. Ether is volatile and flammable.

References:
Prcticas de gentica. 1990. Jimnez Snchez A., Prez de la Vega M., Fominaya Yage
A., Jouve de la Barreda N., Vilageliu Arqus L., Barbancho Medina M. Promociones y
publicaciones universitarias. Barcelona. 341 pp.

Question to solve before de lab session

1. Why do we use female pupas instead of adult females?
Question to solve after de lab session
1. Why do we make reciprocal crosses?