NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
What is 'r' in the equation dN/dt = rN?
Options
- ABirth rate
- BDeath rate
- CGrowth rate
- DIntrinsic rate of natural increase
Correct answer
D. Intrinsic rate of natural increase
Step-by-step solution
Then the population grows in an exponential or geometric fashion. If in a population of size N, the birth rates (not total number but per capita births) are represented as b and death rates (again, per capita death rates) as d, then the increase or decrease in N during a unit time period t (dN/dt) will be dN/dt = (b – d) × NLet (b–d) = r, thendN/dt = rNThe r in this equation is called the ‘intrinsic rate of natural increase’ and is a very important parameter chosen for assessing impacts of any biotic or abiotic fac