WAEC 2012 Biology · Question 53
Bees are of great importance to the farmer because they
Options
- A.provide him with honey
- B.pollinate flowers
- C.sting crop pests to death
- D.destroy flowers by sucking nectar from them
Answer: B. pollinate flowers
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Analyze the question: The question asks why bees are of great importance to the farmer, so we need the reason that most directly helps crop production.
Explain the concept: Bees visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen. As they move from flower to flower, pollen sticks to their hairy bodies and is transferred from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another. This is pollination. Successful pollination leads to fertilization, and fertilization leads to fruits and seeds. Many crops depend on it, such as cashew, orange, mango, cocoa, melon, and groundnut.
Evaluate each option:
- A. Provide him with honey: Honey is a useful product, but it benefits only beekeepers. It is not the main reason bees matter to farmers in general.
- B. Pollinate flowers: Correct. Pollination improves fruit and seed set, which increases crop yield. This is the main benefit to crop farmers.
- C. Sting crop pests to death: Wrong. Bees sting to defend their hive, not to control pests.
- D. Destroy flowers by sucking nectar from them: Wrong. Taking nectar does not destroy flowers, and this would be a harm, not an importance.
Answer: Bees are important to the farmer mainly because they pollinate flowers, which results in fruit and seed formation and so higher yields.
Exam tip: When a question asks about the importance of an insect to the farmer, think of its role in crop production. Pollination is the key word for bees, butterflies, and other flower-visiting insects. Remember: Bees → Blossoms → Better yields.
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