Bee anatomy
A peculiarity of a bee’s intestinal tract is the honey stomach (sac), which is similar to a bird’s crop and which serves to store and ferment the nectar.
The Malpighian corpuscles take over the function of a kidney by filtering the hemolymph. The insects have an open system of blood vessels with a pulsatory dorsal vessel and accessory hearts. Oxygen is not transported by cells, but rather distributed through osmosis.
The body’s intrinsic immune system is merely unspecific (phagocytosis), making vaccinations, for instance, impossible. They breathe through passive ventilation of the trachea system by way of small holes called spiracles which can be opened and closed.
