Drosophila

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/drosophila

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Drosophila. The genus name derives from Greek words for 'dew' and 'loving'
2. What is the conservation status?Not evaluated by the IUCN. Most species are abundant and widespread
3. What are Drosophila and why are they called fruit flies?They are tiny flies that love fermenting fruit. Their name comes from Greek words meaning "dew-loving," and they are drawn to sugary places.
4. Where can you find Drosophila in everyday places?You can find them in kitchens, breweries, wineries, forests, and even city homes. They live wherever fermenting fruit or decaying food is available.

Genus: A taxonomic rank above species and below family, grouping closely related organisms.
Model Organism: A species used in laboratory research to help understand biological processes applicable to other organisms.
Genetics: The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics, focusing on genes and DNA.
Developmental Biology: The study of the process by which organisms grow and develop from a single cell to a complex organism.