Fruit Fly Behavior Lab

In this virtual lab, explore how the behavioral response of Drosophila melanogaster is related to changes in the external environment. You will set up a choice chamber to examine the chemotactic response of fruit flies to a selected substance. Then, you will perform a chi-square goodness-of-fit test to determine whether the distribution of fruit flies within the chamber is statistically significant. Finally, you will consider how such a behavioral response can affect the overall fitness and contribute to the evolutionary success of a population.

Related resources

Topics

  • chi square
  • alternative hypothesis
  • animal behavior
  • AP Bio
  • AP Biology
  • AP
  • behavior
  • behavioral response
  • chemotaxis
  • chi-square equation
  • chi-square test
  • chi-square value
  • chi-square
  • choice chamber
  • control group
  • controlled variable
  • critical value
  • degree of freedom
  • dependent variable
  • df
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Drosophila
  • evolutionary success
  • experimental design
  • experimental group
  • experimental variable
  • fitness
  • fruit fly
  • geotaxis
  • goodness of fit
  • H0
  • H1
  • independent variable
  • innate behavior
  • innate response
  • kinesis
  • learned behavior
  • negative chemotaxis
  • next generation science standards
  • NGSS
  • null hypothesis
  • p-value
  • phototaxis
  • population
  • positive chemotaxis
  • stimulus
  • taxis
  • test for independence