Introduction to Drosophila Experiment

Background information: Fruit flies have similar innate immune systems to humans, so studying the effects of space travel on them can provide critical preliminary information about the possible effects of space travel on humans. Activities on the shuttle or space station can agitate or disturb fruit flies. Understanding the effects of these disturbances on fruit flies’ ability to lay eggs can provide information about maintaining a large population of fruit flies. Keeping a large population of Drosophila enables researchers to study many generations of flies in space (and upon their return to Earth). This experiment was conducted by four astronauts as part of a class about Drosophila and conducting research in space. You will now have a chance to simulate this experiment!

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