How many wax glands are found on a honey bee?

Honey bees possess eight wax glands, which are located on the underside of their abdomen. These glands are responsible for the secretion of beeswax, a key material that bees use to construct honeycomb, which is essential for storing honey and pollen, as well as for breeding.

Each wax gland consists of a group of cells that produce wax scales, which are formed from the secretion of lipids. When bees need wax for comb-building, they secrete this material and then mold it using their mandibles into the hexagonal cells that make up the honeycomb structure. The process is closely linked to the age of the bee, as younger worker bees are more likely to have active wax glands, while older bees often transition to foraging roles.

This essential aspect of bee biology highlights the intricate relationship between the bees’ physical capabilities and their day-to-day activities within the colony, including reproduction, food storage, and hive maintenance. The answer reflects the correct understanding of the biological functions of bees and the anatomy involved.