Available online
Description
The programme looks at the use of drosophila by geneticists who are studying development and behaviour in higher organisms.
The programme looks at the use of drosophila by geneticists who are studying development and behaviour in higher organisms.
| Module code and title: | S299, Genetics |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S299; 08 |
| First transmission date: | 31-05-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Roger Jones |
| Contributors: | David Susuki; Robert Whittle |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Cell behaviour; Cell communication; Cell development; Fruit fly; Drosophila; Genetics; Nerve cells |
| Footage description: | Film shots, under magnification, of drosophila egg, developing egg, egg hatching and maggot feeding. Robert Whittle introduces the programme. David Suzuki explains why mutation is the tool used by geneticists for probing development and behaviour. Film shots, under magnification of several drosophila mutants. Suzuki explains, with the aid of animation, how the diploid drosophila can be used in these studies. Suzuki explains how he came on the idea of developing conditional lethals in drosophila in order to examine some of the more vital functions of the animal. Suzuki gives the background to the discovery of temperature lethal mutants. He goes on to describe the method used by his team to breed these mutants. Using an animated diagram, Suzuki explains how a specific temperature sensitive mutant is analysed using temperature shift experiments. Suzuki goes on to explain what is needed before geneticists can pinpoint a specific structure or process which is affected by the mutant gene. Suzuki demonstrates an apparatus 'the box' which can screen thousands of flies for particular phenotypes. Suzuki demonstrates another apparatus - 'the pit' - which again is used to screen for particular phenotype, this time flightless flies. Suzuki sums up. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71951 |
| Production number: | 00525_1176 |
| Videofinder number: | 997 |
| Available to public: | no |
