Question

In a population, if the rate of addition of new members is higher than the rate of individuals lost, it shows:

• A. Exponential growth
• B. Declined growth
• C. Zero population growth
• D. none of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Exponential growth

Population growth is always an exponential function. When the resources are plenty, population increases, that is the rate of addition of new members is higher than the rate of individuals lost. Such a population grows exponentially until it reaches a stage where resources are limiting and the growth ceases. During this stage the rate of addition of new members is equal to the rate at which individuals are lost from a population. This stage appears as a plateau in the graph. When the rate of addition of new members is smaller than the rate at which individuals are lost from a population, the population is in a declining phase.