(a) What is Colotrum? (b) Draw and label the transverse section of an egg. (c) Complete this table on Law of Diminishing Returns (i) — (ii) 3kg (ii) 11kg (i...

Answer Details

(a) Colostrum

Colostrum is the first thick, yellowish milk produced by a mammal (for example a cow) immediately after giving birth. It is rich in antibodies (immunoglobulins), proteins, vitamins and minerals. It gives the newborn passive immunity against diseases and acts as a natural laxative to clear the gut of the first faeces (meconium).

(b) Transverse section of an egg

A labelled drawing should show the following parts from outside inwards:

• Shell (outer hard protective covering).
• Outer and inner shell membranes.
• Air space (at the broad end).
• Thin albumen and thick albumen (egg white).
• Chalaza (twisted cords holding the yolk in position).
• Vitelline membrane surrounding the yolk.
• Yolk with the germinal disc (blastoderm) on its surface.

(c) Law of diminishing returns

The law of diminishing returns states that as more units of a variable input (for example fertilizer or labour) are added to a fixed input (for example land), the total product first increases at an increasing rate, then increases at a decreasing rate, reaches a maximum, and finally begins to fall. The illustrative table below shows how total product (TP), marginal product (MP) and average product (AP) behave:

Marginal product is the extra output from each additional unit of input; the point where MP begins to fall marks the onset of diminishing returns, and where MP reaches 0 total product is at its maximum.