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ALAN BAXTER BEEKEEPER

BBKA Module 5 study group

Module 5: Honey Bee Biology

The slides from my 2026 Module 5 study group, session by session. Click any slide to see it full size.

Session 1

Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems

How social behaviour evolved; digestion by enzymes, absorption and assimilation; what is excreted and how. Download the slides (PDF)

Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 1
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 2
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 3
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 4
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 5
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 6
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 7
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 8
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 9
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 10
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 11
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 12
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 13
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 14
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 15
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Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 20
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Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 27
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Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 29
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 30
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 31
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 32
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 33
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 34
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 35
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 36
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 37
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 38
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 39
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 40
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Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 42
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 43
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 44
Introduction, evolution of the honey bee, and the alimentary and excretory systems – slide 45

Session 2

The respiratory system

Spiracles, tracheae and air sacs, muscular ventilation and gas exchange at rest and in flight. Download the slides (PDF)

The respiratory system – slide 1
The respiratory system – slide 2
The respiratory system – slide 3
The respiratory system – slide 4
The respiratory system – slide 5
The respiratory system – slide 6
The respiratory system – slide 7
The respiratory system – slide 8
The respiratory system – slide 9
The respiratory system – slide 10
The respiratory system – slide 11
The respiratory system – slide 12
The respiratory system – slide 13
The respiratory system – slide 14
The respiratory system – slide 15

Session 3

The circulatory system and the exocrine glands

The heart, dorsal and ventral diaphragms and haemolymph; the exocrine glands of queen, worker and drone, their secretions and pheromones. Download the slides (PDF)

The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 1
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 2
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 3
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 4
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 5
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 6
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 7
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 8
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 9
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 10
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 11
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 12
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 13
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 14
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 15
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 16
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 17
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 18
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 19
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 20
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 21
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 22
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 23
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 24
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 25
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 26
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 27
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 28
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 29
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 30
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 31
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 32
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 33
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 34
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 35
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 36
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 37
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 38
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 39
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 40
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 41
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 42
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 43
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 44
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 45
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 46
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 47
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 48
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 49
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 50
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 51
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 52
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 53
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 54
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 55
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 56
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 57
The circulatory system and the exocrine glands – slide 58

Session 4

The nervous system and sense organs

Brain and ventral nerve cord, compound eyes, ocelli, Johnston’s organ and the sensilla. Download the slides (PDF)

The nervous system and sense organs – slide 1
The nervous system and sense organs – slide 2
The nervous system and sense organs – slide 3
The nervous system and sense organs – slide 4
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The nervous system and sense organs – slide 50
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The nervous system and sense organs – slide 55
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The nervous system and sense organs – slide 57
The nervous system and sense organs – slide 58

Session 5

The endocrine glands and the sting

Neurosecretory cells, corpora allata, corpora cardiaca and prothoracic glands; how the sting penetrates skin and delivers venom. Download the slides (PDF)

The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 1
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 2
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 3
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 4
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 5
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 6
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 7
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 8
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 9
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 10
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 11
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 12
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 13
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 14
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 15
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The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 17
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 18
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 19
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 20
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The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 23
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 24
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 25
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 26
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 27
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 28
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 29
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 30
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 31
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 32
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 33
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 34
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 35
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 36
The endocrine glands and the sting – slide 37

Session 6

The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers

Composition and functions of the fat body; vitellogenin and juvenile hormone; how laying workers differ from normal workers. Download the slides (PDF)

The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 1
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 2
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 3
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 4
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 5
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 6
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 7
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 8
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 9
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 10
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 11
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The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 13
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The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 15
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 16
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The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 18
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The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 20
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 21
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 22
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The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 24
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 25
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 26
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 27
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 28
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 29
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 30
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 31
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 32
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 33
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 34
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 35
The fat body, summer and winter bees, and laying workers – slide 36

Session 7

Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination

The reproductive systems of queen and drone, eggs and sperm, embryo development and hatching, brood food versus royal jelly. Download the slides (PDF)

Watch: from egg to adult bee

Time-lapse of honey bees developing in their cells and emerging as adults (National Geographic).
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 1
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 2
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 3
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 4
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 27
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 30
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 38
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 40
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 45
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 46
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 47
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 48
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 49
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 50
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 51
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 52
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 53
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 54
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 55
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 56
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 57
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 58
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 59
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 60
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 63
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 64
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 65
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 66
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 68
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Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 79
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 80
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 81
Reproduction, development of the embryo and caste determination – slide 82

Session 8

The cuticle, external anatomy and flight

Cuticle structure and its infolding into the gut and tracheae; the exoskeleton, legs, mouthparts, antennae, setae, wings, and direct and indirect flight muscles. Download the slides (PDF)

The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 1
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 2
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 3
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 4
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 5
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 7
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 11
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 15
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 33
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 37
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 46
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 47
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 49
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 50
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The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 64
The cuticle, external anatomy and flight – slide 65

Revision

Course summary

A summary of the whole module for revision before the exam. Download the slides (PDF)

Course summary – slide 1
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