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Multiple Choice
Flies, such as the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), have a short life cycle. Approximately how many days does it take for a fruit fly to complete its life cycle from egg to adult under optimal conditions?
A
About 30 days
B
About 90 days
C
About 10 days
D
About 60 days
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the life cycle of Drosophila melanogaster, which includes four main stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage has a specific duration under optimal conditions.
Recognize that the duration of the life cycle is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and food availability. Optimal conditions typically refer to a temperature of around 25°C (77°F).
Break down the approximate time for each stage under optimal conditions: eggs hatch into larvae in about 1 day, larvae develop into pupae in about 4-5 days, and pupae emerge as adults in about 4-5 days.
Add the durations of each stage to estimate the total time for the life cycle: egg (1 day) + larva (4-5 days) + pupa (4-5 days) = approximately 10 days.
Conclude that under optimal conditions, the complete life cycle of Drosophila melanogaster from egg to adult takes about 10 days.