Question

Study the following statements (A - D) related to the logistic growth model and select the wrong statements.

A. A population growing in a habitat with limited resources initially shows a lag phase.

B. Carrying capacity of a population is represented by ‘r’.

C. Logistic growth model is not a realistic growth model.

D. Logistic growth model is represented by a sigmoid curve.

Answer 1

In a logistic growth model, a population in a habitat has limited resources. It initially shows slow growth (lag phase), followed by phases of acceleration (log phase) and then deceleration. Hence, statement A is true.
It finally reaches the last phase (stationary phase) in which it attains carrying capacity (K) i.e the maximum number of individuals of a population that can be sustained in a given habitat. Hence, statement B is false.
After reaching carrying capacity, population growth slows down or stops altogether. This can be graphically represented by a sigmoid curve. Hence, statement D is true.


For most populations, the resources for growth are finite and become a limiting factor sooner or later. Logistic growth models consider this aspect of the population. Hence it is considered to be a more realistic growth model. So statement C is false.