Citation:

Wilson, Tracy V. "Bee Anatomy - HowStuffWorks." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr.
2015.
Summary:

Mandibles = Jaws
Glossa = Tongue
Labrum = Lips
The proboscis is the tube that bees collect nectar through
The winds and 6 pairs of legs connect to the thorax
Hooks called the hamuli connect the wings together when flying
The brain holds 950,000 neurons
Has five eyes: 3 simple and 2 compound
Bees eyes are able to detect polarized light
Parts of the legs are: Coxa, Trochanter, Femur, Tibia, and Tarsus
Spiracules allow the bees to breathe
Have barbed stingers
Bee venom contains substances that destroy cells
These venoms breaks destroy the fat layer that encases each cell
Harms the immune system
Males gather in a mating site when they want to mate with females

Evaluation:
This source gave a very detailed, yet easy to read, description of the honey bee
anatomy and how each part works. It presented me with new information because it was so
easy to read and understand. When a person is stung by a honey bee, the venom that leaves
the stinger starts to destroy the cells in the area where the person was stung. Bee venom is
made up of many different substances that destroy cells. It contains enzymes that destroy the
fat layer that surrounds each cell, which then triggers the body to release histamine. Histamine
makes the blood vessels around the bee sting dilate and neutralize the venom faster. The a
person is allergic to a bee sting, their body released too much histamine and the blood vessels
dilate too much. When this happens, blood pressure drops rapidly and the cells can no longer
receive oxygen. For my project, I would still like to look more closely at the internal anatomy of
an adult honey bee and and how all of the organs and systems work. Now that I have learned
new information about the venom system, I would like to focus on that over other systems in the
internal bee anatomy. If at all possible during my dissection, I would like to dissect my bee using
the microscope to find the venom system.
Evidence:
A bee's venom contains several substances that destroy cells. These include peptides and
enzymes that break through and destroy the layer of fats lining each cell. The venom also
destroys the skin's mast cells, which are part of the body's immune system. This releases
histamine, which encourages blood vessels to dilate and allows immune cells to reach the sting
site faster and neutralize the venom. (Page 3
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/bee2.htm )

However, in people with bee sting allergies, this process releases too much histamine. The
blood vessels' dilation response is extreme, and they can no longer do their part in regulating
blood pressure. As a result, blood pressure drops rapidly, and cells stop receiving oxygen. This
type of anaphylactic shock also causes swelling and spasms and can lead to death. The typical
treatment is an injection of epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels, helping to restore
blood pressure and oxygen delivery. (Page 3
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/bee2.htm )
Bees don't lay their eggs in meat, but they retain the ability to sting to defend themselves.
However, some bees don't have stingers. Ovipositors are female reproductive organs, so male
bees usually can't sting. There are also several species of stingless bees, which do not have
stingers at all. (Page 3 http://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/bee2.htm )