Regarding sex determination in honey bees, the males have -
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Half the number of chromosomes than that of a female
In honey bees, the sex depends on the number of sets of chromosomes an individual gets, and not on a pair of sex chromosomes. A fertilised egg (sperm and egg joined) develops into a female, which is a queen or a worker. An unfertilised egg develops into a male, which is a drone. This development without fertilisation is called parthenogenesis.
(1) Double the number of chromosomes than that of a female — Incorrect. The male has one set, and the female has two sets.
(2) Half the number of chromosomes than that of a female — Correct. Females are diploid and have 32 chromosomes. Males are haploid and have 16. This is the haplodiploid system of sex determination.
(3) Equal number of chromosomes than that of a female — Incorrect. This holds for humans, where both sexes are diploid. It does not hold for honey bees.
(4) One fourth number of chromosomes than that of a female — Incorrect. There is no such ratio. 16 is half of 32, not one fourth.
NCERT Extract:
Sex Determination in Honey Bee –
