Chapter 4, Problem 5A

Summary Introduction

Introduction :

Population growth graph is given with respect to time showing population growth. This graph shows S-shape growth of the population with respect to time. So, this is the logistic growth graph in which the horizontal line represents the maximum number of individuals in the population at a given time period.

Answer to Problem 5A

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option (a) carrying capacity.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer :

Option a) carrying capacity. Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals or the maximum population size which an environment can support at a given time period.

In logistic growth, population’s per capita growth rate gets smaller as the population size increases, and this is due to the limited resources available in the environment. So, the correct option is option a).

Explanation for incorrect answer :

Option b) exponential growth. Exponential growth shows J-shape growth curve , and in this population’s per capita growth remains same regardless of the population size, which results in increase in the population at a faster rate.

Option c) geometric growth. Geometric growth represents the situation where successive changes in the population differ by a constant ratio. It doesn’t take into consideration of intermediate values.

Option d) straight line graph. Straight line graph represents static or no change in the population growth with respect to time.