Question

Study the population growth curves in the graph given ahead and answer the questions which follow:

1. Identify the growth curves ‘a’ and ‘b’.
2. Which one of them is considered a more realistic one, and why?
3. If `(dN)/dt = rN ((K - N)/K)` is the equation of the logistic growth curve, what does K stand for?
4. What is symbolised by N?
5. Mention the conditions responsible for the curves ‘a’ and ‘b’ respectively.

Answer 1

1. The growth curves ‘a’ and ‘b’ represent exponential and logistic population growth, respectively.
2. Curve ‘b’ (logistic growth) is more realistic because it considers environmental limits on population growth, showing a steady population size near carrying capacity.
3. In the logistic growth equation `(dN)/dt = rN ((K - N)/K)`, (K) stands for the carrying capacity, which is the maximum population size that the environment can sustain.
4. (N) symbolizes the population size or population density at a given time.
5. Curve ‘a’ (exponential growth) occurs when resources are unlimited, leading to a rapid population increase. Curve ‘b’ (logistic growth) occurs under limited resources, where population growth slows as it reaches the carrying capacity.