Question 1

Which of the following best describes the per-capita rate of increase ($$r) in a $$population?

Accepted Answer

The difference between the birthrate and death rate per individual.

Question 2

A population of bacteria is placed in a large flask with unlimited nutrients. Which type of growth will this population most likely exhibit initially?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth, because $$r is $$constant and resources are not limiting.

Question 3

Which equation correctly represents the population growth rate when immigration and emigration are ignored?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N / \Delta t = rN$$

Question 4

What happens to the value of $$r as a $$population approaches its carrying capacity ($$K) in $$logistic growth?

Accepted Answer

$$r$$ decreases and eventually reaches zero.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to result in density-independent population growth?

Accepted Answer

A pair of birds colonizing a previously uninhabited island.

Question 6

In the logistic growth model, what does the carrying capacity ($$K) $$represent?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of individuals that can be supported in a habitat over time.

Question 7

A population of reindeer introduced to an island overshoots its carrying capacity and then crashes. What is the most likely explanation for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

The population consumed resources faster than they could regenerate, causing a decline in carrying capacity.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between exponential and logistic growth?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited, while logistic growth includes resource limitation and carrying capacity.

Question 9

If a population is experiencing high birth rates and low death rates, and resources are abundant, what is the likely value of $$r$$?

Accepted Answer

$$r is $$high, near $$r_{max}.$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a real-world example of a population experiencing a genetic bottleneck?

Accepted Answer

A population of animals that survives a natural disaster with only a few individuals remaining.

Question 11

A population of Paramecium caudatum in a laboratory shows a growth curve that levels off after several days. What does this leveling off indicate?

Accepted Answer

The population has reached the carrying capacity of its environment.

Question 12

Which of the following factors would NOT affect the carrying capacity ($$K) of a $$population?

Accepted Answer

The color of the individuals in the population.

Question 13

During which stage of logistic growth is the population growth rate ($$r) $$highest?

Accepted Answer

Early stage, when resources are abundant and competition is low.

Question 14

If a population's growth rate ($$r) $$becomes negative, what will happen to the population size over time?

Accepted Answer

The population will decrease.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why logistic growth curves are S-shaped?

Accepted Answer

Growth is initially rapid, then slows as resources become limited, and finally stabilizes at carrying capacity.

Question 16

A population of lichen is growing on a rock. If the lichen population exceeds the carrying capacity, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The population will decline as resources are depleted.

Question 17

Which of the following is a density-dependent factor that can limit population growth?

Accepted Answer

Competition for food.

Question 18

If a population is growing exponentially, which of the following must be true?

Accepted Answer

Resources are not limiting and $$r is $$constant.

Question 19

Which of the following equations describes logistic population growth?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N / \Delta t = rN \left(1 - \frac{N}{K}\right)$$

Question 20

A population of birds is introduced to a new island. At first, the population grows rapidly, but after several years, growth slows and stabilizes. Which stage of population growth does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Transition from exponential to logistic growth, reaching carrying capacity.

Population Growth Dynamics: Exponential and Logistic Models in Biology

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