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Multiple Choice
Why are honeybees considered altruistic in their behavior?
A
They sacrifice their own reproduction to help the queen reproduce.
B
They avoid interacting with other bees to prevent disease spread.
C
They migrate individually to find better resources.
D
They only collect nectar for themselves and not for the hive.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of altruism in biology: Altruism refers to behaviors that benefit other individuals at a cost to oneself. In the context of social insects like honeybees, altruistic behavior often involves sacrificing personal reproductive opportunities to support the colony.
Identify the role of worker bees in a honeybee colony: Worker bees are sterile females that do not reproduce. Instead, they perform tasks such as foraging for food, caring for the queen's offspring, and defending the hive.
Recognize the reproductive structure of a honeybee colony: The queen bee is the primary reproductive individual in the hive. The workers support the queen by ensuring her survival and the survival of her offspring, which are their siblings.
Analyze the behavior of worker bees: Worker bees exhibit altruistic behavior by forgoing their own reproduction to help the queen reproduce. This ensures the continuation of their genetic material through the queen's offspring.
Conclude why honeybees are considered altruistic: Honeybees are considered altruistic because the worker bees sacrifice their own reproductive potential to support the queen and the colony, which aligns with the definition of altruism in biological terms.