Q. 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 given the 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 $2\ \mu g/g\$diet is the optimum level
D) Growth of Khapra beetle is inhibited when cholesterol concentration exceeds $2\mu g/g$ diet
Explanation
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 $6\ \mu g$ 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.
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.