Final answer:
Honey bees and flowering plants have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit: bees get nectar to eat and in the process, pollinate the plants, which is essential for plant reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between honey bees and flowering plants is categorized as mutualistic symbiosis. In this type of symbiotic relationship, both organisms, the honey bees and the flowering plants, benefit from each other. As honey bees go about their task of collecting nectar, they inadvertently pick up pollen from the flowers. This pollen then gets transferred to other flowers as the bees move from one to the next, leading to the pollination of plants. Pollination is essential for the reproduction of many plants, and in turn, the bees obtain the nectar they need for sustenance. This interaction enhances the survival and success of both the plants and the bees.
Importance of Worker Bees
Worker bees play various crucial roles within the beehive. As indicated under Figure 8.4.1, younger worker bees are responsible for cleaning the hive and feeding the young, while older workers construct the honeycomb and protect the hive. The oldest worker bees are tasked with foraging for food, which includes nectar and pollen. Their work is vital for the maintenance and operation of the hive, and also has ramifications for the larger ecosystem, particularly through the process of pollination.