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Social Behaviour of Animals
Reference chapter
Question 1
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Karl Von Frisch is famous for his
study of bees. In one of his experiments he marked a
few bees by placing a white spot on the thorax of each
bee. Von Frisch then prepared a solution of sugar in
water which he scented with lavender. He placed this
solution on a table which was 2000m from the bee's
hive. He then allowed his marked bees to feed on the
sugar solution.
Von Frisch placed other tables at
various distances from the hive. Each of these tables
was scented with lavender but there was no food on
them. All of the tables, including the one at 2000m,
were placed in the same direction from the hive.
Von Frisch placed an assistant at
each table. Each assistant counted the number of
unmarked bees which visited the table during the same
thirty minute period.
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The results of this experiment
are shown in the table below. Study the results and answer the
following questions:
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(a) On the
graph paper below draw a histogram of Von Frisch's
results. (The distance should be shown on the
horizontal axis).
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| Table Number |
Distance from the hive (m) |
Number of unmarked bees |
| 1 |
80 |
0 |
| 2 |
400 |
1 |
| 3 |
800 |
2 |
| 4 |
1200 |
1 |
| 5 |
1600 |
14 |
| 6 |
1950 |
92 |
| 7 |
2050 |
28 |
| 8 |
2400 |
27 |
| 9 |
3000 |
2 |
| 10 |
4000 |
0 |
| 11 |
5000 |
0 |
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(b) Did the bees depend on the lavender scent to find
their food? Give a reason for your answer. |
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(c) Explain why so many unmarked
bees arrived at table number 6. |
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(d) Why did no bees arrive at the table placed 80m
from the hive? |
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(e) Do the bees need to be able to see the sun directly in
order to find the food source? What happens if the sun
is completely covered by cloud? |
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© Paul Billiet, Shirley Burchill 2011
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