11. Social Insects

Question 1

What are the 3 prerequisites for eusociality?

Answer 1

1) Cooperative care of young
2) Sterile castes (reproductive division of labour)
3) Overlap of generations

Question 2

What are the two types of eusociality?

Answer 2

A) Obligate eusociality - workers sterility leads to mutual dependence
B) Facultative eusociality - workers retain totipotency and may breed if opportunity arises

Question 3

Define totipotency

Answer 3

The ability for cells/individuals to differentiate

Question 4

Define totipotency

Answer 4

The ability for cells/individuals to differentiate

Question 5

What is the key to ants success?

Answer 5

Division of labour between related females - queens reproduce, workers tend tot he brood

Question 6

Which two distinct behaviours have ants developed?

Answer 6

Medicine - young queens store fungus in a pouch under their skin
Agriculture - Cattle farming of aphids