Question

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster was found to be very suitable for experimental verification of chromosomal theory of inheritance by Morgan and his colleagues because

• A. A single mating produces two young flies
• B. Smaller female is easily recognizable from larger male
• C. It reproduces parthenogenetically
• D. It completes life cycle in about two weeks

Answer 1

The correct option is D

It completes life cycle in about two weeks

The correct option is D.

Explanation of correct option:

1. Morgan worked with small fruit flies called Drosophila melanogaster, as they were very suitable for his studies.
2. They can be grown using simple synthetic medium in the laboratory.
3. They have a life cycle of only two weeks.
4. Their single mating produces a large number of young flies.
5. Also, it has many different hereditary variations which are easy to observe.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option A:

1. The fruit flies lay not only two but numerous eggs after reproduction.

Option B:

1. The male and female flies are easily distinguishable.
2. But, it was not the main reason for choosing them for the experiment.

Option C:

1. The fruit flies reproduce sexually by the formation of gametes and not parthenogenetically.

Final answer: The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster was found to be very suitable for experimental verification of chromosomal theory of inheritance by Morgan and his colleagues because it completes life cycle in about two weeks.