The logistic growth model differs from the exponential growth model in that it __________.

• A. is J-shaped and the exponential growth model is S-shaped
• B. never shows the effects of population-limiting factors
• C. implies that population size stabilizes at K when the birth rate is zero
• D. implies that a population's growth rate will be highest when the population is small
• E. expresses the effects of population-limiting factors on exponential growth

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic difference between exponential and logistic growth models. Exponential growth is characterized by a constant rate of growth, leading to a J-shaped curve, while logistic growth considers environmental limits, leading to an S-shaped curve.
2. Recognize that the logistic growth model incorporates the concept of carrying capacity (K), which is the maximum population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely.
3. Identify that the logistic growth model accounts for population-limiting factors such as limited resources, predation, and disease, which slow down the growth rate as the population size approaches the carrying capacity.
4. Note that in the logistic growth model, the population growth rate is highest when the population size is at an intermediate level, not when it is small, because it is then that the population is growing rapidly but not yet limited by resources.
5. Conclude that the logistic growth model expresses the effects of population-limiting factors on exponential growth, which is the key difference from the exponential growth model that does not consider these factors.