Question

A population at the carrying capacity will be in

• A. Acceleration phase of growth
• B. Plateau phase
• C. Exponential growth phase
• D. Lag phase of growth

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Plateau phase

When a population reaches the carrying capacity of a habitat, it will not increase anymore, that is it will be at the plateau phase. The initial phase of growth when the population increases gradually is called the lag phase. After the population reaches a certain size it starts growing rapidly, this is called acceleration phase of growth. During this phase the population increases exponentially and is therefore known as the exponential phase of growth.