Question

A population of 600 that experiences 65 births and 5 deaths during a one–year period. If the population maintains the current growth pattern, a plot of its growth would resemble:

• A.
  Exponential growth
• B.
  Fluctuating growth
• C.
  K–selected growth
• D.
  Logistic growth

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Exponential growth
Exponential growth occurs normally when resources, i.e. food and space are unlimited. Exponential growth takes place when a population's per capita growth rate stays the same, regardless of population size, making the population grow faster and faster as it gets larger.

If the reproductive rate is greater than zero (r>0), then the population is growing exponentially.

Fluctuating populations exhibit a period of population growth followed a period of population decline, followed by another period of population growth, followed by another period of decline. K-selected species are characterized by long gestation periods lasting several months, slow maturation (and thus extended parental care), and long life spans. Logistic growth occurs when resources become limited at certain point of time, so no population can grow exponentially.

So, the correct answer is exponential growth.