Getting the buzz on the value of bees
Glossary
abdomen. The hindmost part of an insects three body segments, in which the most vital organs are located.
acarapisosis (acarine disease). The infestation of the breathing tubes (trachea) of the adult bee by the parasitic mite Acarapis woodi. The mite lives, multiplies and feeds in these breathing tubes and causes the lifespan of over-wintering bees to shorten.
anemophily. A form of pollination whereby pollen is distributed by the wind.
Colony Collapse Disorder. A phenomenon affecting honey bee colonies that is characterised by the sudden and unexplained disappearance of worker bees from a hive.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The nucleic acid forming the genetic material of all organisms with the exception of some viruses which have RNA. DNA is present in the nucleus and other organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.
DNA methylation. A biochemical process whereby the DNA is modified and methyl (-CH 3) groups are added to certain positions on the nitrogen bases. It is an important process for normal development in higher organisms.
drone. The male of honeybee colonies and other bee species, which is stingless and does not collect nectar or pollen or make honey.
epigenetics. Is the study of heritable changes in gene activity that occur without a change in the sequence of the genetic material. Epigenetics literally means ‘in addition to genetics’.
gene. The basic unit of inheritance. A gene is a segment of DNA that specifies the structure of a protein or an RNA molecule.
gene markers. A gene or DNA sequence with a known location on a chromosome that can be used to identify cells, individuals or species. It can be described as a variation (which may arise due to mutation or alteration in the genomic loci) that can be observed.
genome. The total genetic material of an individual or species.
genotype. The particular set of genes
carried by an individual organism.
genus. A group of organisms which may contain one or more species that exhibit similar characteristics.
haemolymph. A fluid in the circulatory system of certain invertebrates (such as insects) that is analogous to the fluids and cells that make up blood and interstitial fluid in vertebrate animals.
histones. Proteins found associated with DNA in eukaryotic cells that play a role in gene regulation. The DNA winds around the histone protein to form chromatin. For more information about the role of histones see The nucleus (Kimball’s Biology Pages, USA).
Histone Acetylase Inhibitors. Chemicals that inhibit the production of Histone Acetylase (HDAc), an enzyme that changes the way that histone binds to DNA.
larvae. A pre-adult form of an animal that has hatched from an egg and is able to live independently. It is completely different to the adult form and often has different dietary needs.
organism. Any living thing, whether single celled or many celled.
ovary. The lower female part of a flower that contains the ovules. These become the seeds in the fruits of flowering plants.
ovule. The structure in the female portion of the flower in seed plants that goes on to develop into the seed when the plant is fertilized.
parasite. An organism that lives on or in an organism of a different species (the host) and gains some advantage at the host's expense.
pheromones. Chemical substances which, when released in an animal’s surroundings, influence the behaviour or development of other individuals of the same species.
pollen. The male sex cells of seed plants that carries the gametes to fertilise female eggs.
pollination. The transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower (where they were formed) to the stigma of another or the same flower. Pollination can be effected either by abiotic means such as by gravity, wind and water or by animals such as bats and bees.
propolis. A brown, sticky, resinous plant substance that is collected by worker honeybees. It is used to fill gaps, seal and maintain the hive and sometimes even to entomb large trespassers or contaminated pollen in the honeycomb.
queen. The fertile, egg-laying female in a social bee colony.
royal jelly. A very complex and poorly understood honeybee secretion that is fed in large quantities to queens by the worker bees. It has been implicated in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression via DNA methylation.
species. Living things of the same kind that are potentially capable of breeding and producing fertile offspring. Theoretically, plants or animals of different species cannot interbreed. However, occasionally this does not hold true.
spermatheca. An organ in some female animals which is able to receive and store sperm.
symbiotic relationship. A relationship whereby two or more dissimilar organisms live together with a benefit to at least one of the organisms involved.
swarm. A large number of honeybees that migrate from a hive with a queen and fly off together to start a new colony.
waggle dance. A figure of eight waggling movement that is performed by foraging worker honeybees to indicate the direction and relative distance of a food source to other foragers in the hive.
worker bee. A female bee in a social colony that does most of the hive’s work. This includes foraging for nectar and pollen, constructing nests and hives and tending to the larvae. A worker bee does not sexually reproduce.
Want to receive updates? Click here to receive NOVA email alerts.
External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science.
Created July 2011, edited August 2012.