The sex determination mechanism in honey bees is of:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Haplodiploid type
In honey bees, sex depends on the number of sets of chromosomes, not on sex chromosomes. A fertilised egg develops into a female (queen or worker), which is diploid with 32 chromosomes. An unfertilised egg develops into a male (drone) by parthenogenesis, so the male is haploid with 16 chromosomes. This is the haplodiploid system.
(1) XX-XY — Incorrect. This type is seen in humans and Drosophila. The male (XY) makes two kinds of sperms.
(2) XX-XO — Incorrect. This type is seen in grasshoppers. The male has only one X chromosome and no Y.
(3) ZZ-ZW — Incorrect. This type is seen in birds. Here the female (ZW) makes two kinds of eggs, and the male is ZZ.
(4) Haplodiploid type — Correct. Females are diploid and males are haploid.
NCERT Extract:
Sex Determination in Honey Bee –
