Final answer:
The scientific name for the fruit fly is Drosophila melanogaster, a key model organism in genetics research due to its simple genome and biological parallels to humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientific name for the fruit fly used by geneticists as a model organism is Drosophila melanogaster. This organism is extensively studied in the field of genetics due to its simple genome and biological similarities to humans, such as its metabolism of alcohol. Sequencing the genome of model organisms like the fruit fly has been pivotal in understanding the genetic basis of various traits and behaviors, enhancing our knowledge of genetics as it applies to other species, and enabling researchers to investigate inheritance patterns and study phenomena like organogenesis.