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Definition of Honey bee genome
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Honey bee genome: The genetic complement of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Its genome is relatively small -- about one-tenth the size of the human genome -- and contains about 300 million DNA base pairs. Sequencing of the bee genome began in 2003 and a draft of it was completed in 2004. The bee genome may also help understand the genetics of social behavior.