Genetics laboratory (B344) is a practical guide for the basic genetics course. The experiments have
been carefully chosen to suit the needs of students who are taking a basic genetics course. The
outline indicates the scope of the work. Studying cell division will be introduced as a preparatory
section preceding the basic Mendelian genetics. The laws of Mendelian inheritance will be studied in
drosophila melanogaster; the common fruit fly that Morgan has used in his studies. The Chi-square
test will be used to determine whether experimentally obtained data continues a good fit to an
expected ratio or value. The students will then proceed to carry out several crossing experiments
using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Crossing experiments are followed by preparing and
studying the giant chromosome from the salivary gland of Drosophila larvae. Human gene frequency
exercise will be introduced to study easily observed characteristics that appear to be controlled by
single genes and multiple genes. Mutation experiments are designed so students can get fast
convincing results using different bacterial strains. One of the methods of DNA extraction will be
used to isolate the DNA from bacterial cells. This experiment will acquaint the students with the
skills of isolating DNA and enables the students to study the chemical and physical properties of DNA
during the last session.
The laboratory activities provide an opportunity to make first-hand observations, learn data
collection techniques, sharpen one's skill in analysis and reasoning, and practice clear and effective
communication. A short introduction to the laboratory will generally be given at the beginning of
each lab period