Nonsym(BEE)otic mutualism

This video, taken near Morton Hall, depicts the American Bumble Bee pollinating a flower. Bees do much more than make honey and influence other products for human consumption (fruits, etc). Bees are one of the main pollinators on this planet and are responsible for the successful reproduction of many plants. The video shows the bee entering one flower and flying off screen (where it eventually entered another nearby flower). Pollination includes the bee entering one flower, collecting nectar and pollen from the stamen (male reproductive organ) of the flower, and transporting the pollen to the stigma (female reproductive organ) of another flower where fertilization occurs. The relationship bees and flowers have is a nonsymbiotic mutualistic relationship, because they physically live independent lives but rely on each other to function. Flowers provide nectar for bees to make honey that sustains them in colder weather, while bees serve as a transporter for pollen from flower to flower. The relationship is mutualistic because both species benefit by increasing survival for both species. Although there are other pollinators, flower reproduction would be greatly harmed without bees. This is why endangered bees are raising such a red flag. No bees means less flowers, which not only means less food for humans (most food contains products influenced by bees) but also less oxygen produced by the plants. We should BEE thankful for this nonsymbiotic mutualistic relationship, because without it, the world would be a very different place.

 

Source: www.bees.techno-science.ca/english/bees/pollination/defau...

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