Population growth models (exponential, logistic) MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 12, 2024

1. What characterizes exponential growth in a population?
a) A growth rate that decreases as the population size increases
b) A constant growth rate regardless of the population size
c) A growth pattern where the population size increases rapidly over time without any limits
d) A growth pattern where the population size stabilizes at a maximum carrying capacity
Answer: c) A growth pattern where the population size increases rapidly over time without any limits

2. In the context of exponential growth, what does the term “intrinsic rate of increase” (r) refer to?
a) The maximum number of individuals an environment can support
b) The rate at which a population’s size approaches carrying capacity
c) The constant rate of growth in a population under ideal conditions
d) The rate at which resources are consumed by the population
Answer: c) The constant rate of growth in a population under ideal conditions

3. What is the key difference between exponential and logistic growth models?
a) Exponential growth includes environmental resistance while logistic growth does not
b) Exponential growth is limited by carrying capacity while logistic growth is unlimited
c) Logistic growth includes carrying capacity, which slows growth as the population size approaches the maximum capacity
d) Exponential growth involves periodic fluctuations, whereas logistic growth is continuous
Answer: c) Logistic growth includes carrying capacity, which slows growth as the population size approaches the maximum capacity

4. What is the “carrying capacity” (K) in a logistic growth model?
a) The maximum number of individuals a population can reach during exponential growth
b) The number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support over the long term
c) The rate at which resources are depleted in a population
d) The number of offspring produced by each individual in the population
Answer: b) The number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support over the long term

5. In a logistic growth model, what happens to the growth rate as the population size approaches the carrying capacity?
a) The growth rate increases rapidly
b) The growth rate decreases and eventually approaches zero
c) The growth rate remains constant
d) The growth rate fluctuates unpredictably
Answer: b) The growth rate decreases and eventually approaches zero

6. Which of the following equations represents exponential growth?
a)

$N(t) = N_0 \cdot e^{rt}$

N(t)=N0​⋅ert
b)

$N(t) = \frac{K}{1 + \frac{K – N_0}{N_0} \cdot e^{-rt}}$

N(t)=1+N0​K−N0​​⋅e−rtK​
c)

$N(t) = N_0 + (r \cdot N_0 \cdot t)$

N(t)=N0​+(r⋅N0​⋅t)
d)

$N(t) = K \cdot \frac{N_0}{N_0 + (K – N_0) \cdot e^{-rt}}$

N(t)=K⋅N0​+(K−N0​)⋅e−rtN0​​
Answer: a)

$N(t) = N_0 \cdot e^{rt}$

N(t)=N0​⋅ert

7. In the logistic growth equation

$N(t) = \frac{K}{1 + \frac{K – N_0}{N_0} \cdot e^{-rt}}$

N(t)=1+N0​K

−N0​​⋅e−rtK​, what does

$N_0$

N0​ represent?
a) The population size at carrying capacity
b) The initial population size
c) The maximum growth rate
d) The rate of environmental resistance
Answer: b) The initial population size

8. Which of the following best describes the shape of the population curve for exponential growth?
a) An S-shaped curve that levels off
b) A J-shaped curve that rises rapidly
c) A linear increase with constant slope
d) A fluctuating curve with periodic peaks and troughs
Answer: b) A J-shaped curve that rises rapidly

9. In a logistic growth model, what factor limits the growth of the population as it nears the carrying capacity?
a) The availability of mates
b) The availability of resources and space
c) The rate of genetic mutation
d) The frequency of migration events
Answer: b) The availability of resources and space

10. What does the term “population density” refer to in the context of logistic growth?
a) The rate of change in population size
b) The number of individuals per unit area or volume
c) The maximum size of a population
d) The rate at which individuals leave the population
Answer: b) The number of individuals per unit area or volume

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