5.10 Fat Bodies Flashcards
How is the fat body distributed within the honey bee’s body?
The fat body is a collection of cells forming loose aggregations in several places within the bee’s body, primarily found in the head and underneath the dorsal and ventral sinuses below the cuticle of the abdomen.
What happens to the fat bodies during the larval stage?
During the larval life, the fat bodies build up and contain oil globules, glycogen, and protein. Oenocytes are the oil globules.
What occurs to the fat bodies during the pupal stage?
During the pupa stage, the fat bodies disintegrate, releasing their content into the haemolymph.
What is the composition of fat cells in adult bees?
In adult bees, the fat cells contain fat and protein, with the mix differing by age and season.
How does the fat body composition differ among young and older worker bees?
Young worker bees mainly have fat globules, while older bees have increased protein levels due to not feeding young, resulting in a mainly protein composition in the fat body.
How does the fat body of a queen differ from that of worker females?
A queen’s fat body is significantly larger than that of worker females due to her reproductive role, and its composition and size can change throughout her life.
What is the glycogen content in drones compared to workers?
When emerging, drones have more glycogen per unit weight than workers, with very young drones having more glycogen than older drones.
What is the role of fat bodies in energy storage for bees?
Fat bodies serve as energy reserves, particularly in foraging worker bees where glycogen stores decrease to provide energy for flight.
How do fat bodies function in metabolism during summer?
In summer, the protein content of fat bodies decreases as it is converted into brood food for developing larvae.
What changes occur in the fat body composition of winter bees?
In winter, the protein content of fat bodies increases to aid survival as the bee is not feeding brood.
What is the significance of fat bodies in supporting bee reproduction?
Fat bodies provide essential nutrients and energy reserves that support reproduction by ensuring the health of the bee.
How do fat bodies contribute to bee immunity?
Fat bodies manufacture proteins including enzymes to control pathogens
How do the fat bodies of summer and winter worker bees differ in size?
Fat bodies are largest in winter bees and smallest in summer bees.
What happens to the protein content of fat bodies in summer?
During summer, the protein content decreases as it is converted into brood food for developing larvae.
How do carbohydrate stores in fat bodies change in foraging worker bees during summer?
In foraging worker bees, glycogen or carbohydrate stores decrease as they are used for energy during flight.
What changes occur in the protein content of fat bodies during winter?
In winter, the protein content increases as bees build up stores for survival and do not feed brood.
What is the role of vitellogenin in worker bees?
Vitellogenin serves as a food storage reservoir, synthesizes royal jelly, supports the immune system, prolongs lifespan, and influences foraging behavior.
How does vitellogenin affect the health of a honey bee colony?
The health of a colony depends on the vitellogenin reserves of nurse bees, as foragers have low levels.
What is the relationship between vitellogenin and juvenile hormone in honey bees?
Vitellogenin and juvenile hormone mutually suppress each other; suppression of one leads to higher levels of the other.
How does juvenile hormone affect ovary development in queens and workers?
In queens, juvenile hormone promotes ovary development, while in workers, it reduces ovary development.
How do fat bodies contribute to thermoregulation in bees?
Fat bodies in winter bees contain large amounts of stored glycogen, protein, and fat, aiding survival during winter.
What is the role of fat bodies in immune function for bees?
Fat bodies help in immune function by storing essential nutrients that support the bee’s health during environmental challenges.
Why are the functions of fat bodies particularly important for overwintering bees?
These functions are crucial for overwintering bees as they rely on stored nutrients for energy and survival during the winter months.
How do the fat body sizes differ between winter and summer bees?
Fat bodies are largest in winter bees and smallest in summer bees.
What happens to the protein content of fat cells during summer?
During summer, the protein content of fat cells decreases as it is converted into brood food for developing larvae.
What happens to carbohydrate stores in foraging worker bees during summer?
In foraging worker bees, glycogen or carbohydrate stores in the fat body decrease and are used as energy for flight.
What is the metabolic rate of winter bees compared to summer bees?
The metabolic rate of winter bees is lower than that of summer bees, as they are not feeding brood or doing much work.
