NEET
- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Zoology
- Chapter
- Organisms and Populations
NEET · Zoology · Organisms and Populations
In the logistic growth model, what happens to the population...
In the logistic growth model, what happens to the population density as it approaches the carrying capacity (K)?
Options
- AIt decreases rapidly
- BIt increases indefinitely
- CIt stabilizes
- DIt fluctuates wildly
Correct answer
C. It stabilizes
Step-by-step solution
A population growing in a habitat with limited resources shows initially a lag phase, followed by phases of acceleration and deceleration and finally an asymptote, when the population density reaches the carrying capacity. A plot of N in relation to time (t) results in a sigmoid curve. This type of population growth is called Verhulst-Pearl Logistic Growth (Figure 11.3) and is described by the following equation:dN/dt = rN(1-N/K)Where N = Population density at time tr = Intrinsic rate of natural increaseK = Carrying capacitySince resources for growth for most animal populations are finite and become limiting sooner or later, the logistic growth model is considered a more realistic one.