What is the primary purpose of the queen bee in the colony?

The primary purpose of the queen bee in the colony is to produce brood, which consists of fertilized eggs that develop into worker bees, drones, and future queens. The queen is the sole reproductive female in the hive, and her health and productivity are crucial for the colony's survival and growth. A healthy queen lays thousands of eggs daily during the peak season, ensuring an adequate workforce of young bees to perform various tasks, such as foraging, hive maintenance, and defense.

While gathering nectar, defending the hive, and maintaining cleanliness are essential activities within the colony, these roles are primarily conducted by the worker bees. The workers support the queen by caring for her, feeding her, and ensuring she remains healthy, but the main function of the queen is focused on reproduction, making 'producing brood' the correct answer.