Question 1

What is pollination?

Accepted Answer

Pollination is when pollen from a flower's stamen (the male part) moves to the pistil (the female part) of another flower. This helps plants make seeds so they can grow new plants.

Question 2

Why are bees important for pollination?

Accepted Answer

Bees are important because they carry pollen from one flower to another, which helps plants grow fruits and seeds. They do this while collecting nectar for food.

Question 3

How do bees collect pollen?

Accepted Answer

Bees collect pollen by landing on flowers and using their legs to brush it into little baskets on their back legs called pollen baskets. While they collect pollen, some of it rubs off onto other flowers.

Question 4

What do bees do with the nectar they collect?

Accepted Answer

Bees collect nectar from flowers to make honey. They store the nectar in their honey stomachs and bring it back to the hive, where it's turned into honey.

Question 5

How many types of bees are there?

Accepted Answer

There are over 20,000 kinds of bees in the world! Some of the most well-known are honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees.

Question 6

Do all bees make honey?

Accepted Answer

No, not all bees make honey. Only honeybees make honey that people can eat, while other bees focus more on pollination or building their nests.

Question 7

How does pollination help humans?

Accepted Answer

Pollination helps humans because it makes plants grow fruits, nuts, and vegetables that we eat. Without bees and pollination, there would be fewer foods for us.

Question 8

What happens if bees disappear?

Accepted Answer

If bees disappeared, many plants would struggle to grow, and people might not have enough fruits and vegetables. Animals that eat these plants would also be affected.

Question 9

Can other insects pollinate plants too?

Accepted Answer

Yes, other insects like butterflies, bats, and beetles can also pollinate, but bees are the most efficient pollinators. They visit more flowers and spread more pollen quickly.

Question 10

Why do flowers attract bees?

Accepted Answer

Flowers attract bees with their bright colors and sweet scents. The flowers give nectar as a reward for the bees spreading their pollen.

Question 11

How do bees communicate with each other?

Accepted Answer

Bees use dances and scents to communicate. They perform a 'waggle dance' to show other bees where food can be found.

Question 12

Do bees only visit one type of flower?

Accepted Answer

No, bees visit many types of flowers, but sometimes they focus on one kind at a time. This helps them collect pollen more efficiently.

Question 13

What time of year are bees most active?

Accepted Answer

Bees are most active in the spring and summer when lots of flowers are blooming. They slow down in the fall and rest in the winter.

Question 14

How long do bees live?

Accepted Answer

Worker bees usually live for about 6 weeks during the busy seasons, whereas a queen bee can live for several years. It depends on the type of bee and its role in the hive.

Question 15

What is a beehive?

Accepted Answer

A beehive is the home where many bees live together. It is a busy place with honeycombs where they store food and grow their young.

Question 16

Why do bees sometimes sting?

Accepted Answer

Bees sting to protect themselves or their hive from threats. It’s their way of saying, 'Don't bother us!'

Question 17

What makes bees choose a certain flower?

Accepted Answer

Bees choose flowers that have lots of nectar and are easy to spot. They like flowers that stand out and have a sweet scent.

Question 18

How do plants benefit from bees?

Accepted Answer

Plants rely on bees to move pollen around, which helps them grow fruits and seeds. This process ensures that the plants can create the next generation.

Question 19

Why do some bees live alone?

Accepted Answer

Some bees, called solitary bees, live alone because they don’t have a hive or colony to look after. They raise their young in separate little nests.

Question 20

How can we help protect bees?

Accepted Answer

We can protect bees by planting flowers they like, avoiding pesticides, and providing habitats like bee hotels. Supporting local beekeepers also helps.

The Science of Bees and Pollination - 20 FAQs Explained Simply