Which of the following populations probably exhibits exponential growth?

• A. A protozoan population grown in a sealed glass culture flask
• B. A redwood tree population in a forest
• C. A population of deer in an area with few palatable food plants
• D. A population of deer in an area with many hungry wolves
• E. A fruit fly population that recently arrived on a lush mid-oceanic island previously inhabited only by plants

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of exponential growth: Exponential growth occurs when the resources available to a population are abundant, allowing the population to grow rapidly without significant constraints.
2. Consider the conditions for each population: Exponential growth is likely when there are few limiting factors such as predators, competition, or limited resources.
3. Analyze the protozoan population: In a sealed glass culture flask, resources are limited and space is confined, which typically leads to logistic rather than exponential growth.
4. Evaluate the redwood tree population: In a forest, competition for resources like sunlight and nutrients is high, which usually prevents exponential growth.
5. Assess the fruit fly population: A lush mid-oceanic island with abundant resources and no predators or competitors provides ideal conditions for exponential growth, as the population can expand rapidly without constraints.