Question

In an experiment, freshly hatched larvae of an insect (Khapra beetle) were reared on a basal diet (complete diet without cholesterol) with increasing amounts of cholesterol. Results obtained are shown in the given graph-


The graph indicates-

• A. Cholesterol is an essential dietary requirement of Khapra beetle
• B. Growth of Khapra beetle is directly proportional to cholesterol concentration
• C. Cholesterol concentration of $\frac{2\mu g}{g}$ diet is the optimum level
• D. Growth of Khapra beetle is inhibited when cholesterol concentration exceeds $\frac{2\mu g}{g}$ diet

Answer 1

The correct option is A Cholesterol is an essential dietary requirement of Khapra beetle

The graph indicates that cholesterol is an essential dietary requirement of Khapra beetle because weigh of insect larva increases with the increase in amount of cholesterol and weight becomes static at 6μg cholesterol/g basal diet. If the growth rate would have been directly proportional to the cholesterol concentration then the graph would have been straight line.
So, the correct answer is option 'a'.