Biology 2010 Student Edition

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 9780133669510
ISBN 13: 978-0-13366-951-0

Chapter 5, Populations - 5.1 - How Populations Grow - 5.1 Assessment - Page 135: 4b

Answer

At first, a population grows exponentially because at this time, resources are abundant. Individuals reproduce quickly while the death rate slows. As the population continues to increase, it uses up much of its resources, and the growth rate starts to slow. After a while, the growth rate becomes zero, and the population plateaus, staying at this rate for an indefinite amount of time.

Work Step by Step

At first, a population grows exponentially because at this time, resources are abundant. Individuals reproduce quickly while the death rate slows. As the population continues to increase, it uses up much of its resources, and the growth rate starts to slow. After a while, the growth rate becomes zero, and the population plateaus, staying at this rate for an indefinite amount of time.
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