Final answer:
In most ants and bees, sex is determined through a system called haplodiploidy, where males develop from unfertilized eggs and are haploid, and females develop from fertilized eggs and are diploid.
Step-by-step explanation:
In most ants and bees, the determination of sex is through a system called haplodiploidy. Haplodiploidy means that males develop from unfertilized eggs and are haploid, meaning they have only one set of chromosomes. Females, on the other hand, develop from fertilized eggs and are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes. This system of sex determination is unique to social Hymenoptera, which includes ants, bees, and wasps.
For example, in honeybees, fertilized eggs are diploid and develop into females, while unfertilized eggs are haploid and develop into males. The difference in the number of chromosomes determines the sex of the individual.