Q.The figure given below is a diagrammatic representation of response of organisms to abiotic factors, plotting Internal level against External level and showing three curves labelled A, B and C. What do A, B and C represent respectively?
S.No. | A | B | C
a. | Conformer | Regulator | Partial Regulator
b. | Regulator | Partial Regulator | Conformer
c. | Partial Regulator | Regulator | Conformer
d. | Regulator | Conformer | Partial Regulator

Step 1. Interpret curve A. Curve A rises continuously in step with the external level across the whole range — the organism's internal condition simply mirrors the external environment. This is the defining behaviour of a conformer (e.g., most aquatic invertebrates, many plants), which does not expend energy on maintaining a constant internal state.

Step 2. Interpret curve B. Curve B stays essentially flat no matter how much the external level changes — the organism actively maintains a constant internal environment (homeostasis) despite external fluctuation. This is the defining behaviour of a regulator (e.g., birds and mammals maintaining constant body temperature).

Step 3. Interpret curve C. Curve C tracks the external level at first (like a conformer) but then levels off and stays constant beyond a certain external value. This mixed behaviour — regulating only over part of the range and conforming over the rest — is characteristic of a partial regulator. …

Match each curve's shape (continuously rising, flat, or rising-then-plateauing) to the standard ecological definitio …

• Assuming the flat line represents a conformer because it looks 'unchanging', when a flat internal level actually signals active regulation …