NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
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 = Carryi