Compare exponential growth to logistic growth in populations and define carrying capacity.

• A. Exponential growth has a constant growth rate; logistic growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity
• B. Exponential growth slows as resources limit; logistic growth continues exponentially
• C. Carrying capacity is the rate of reproduction
• D. Carrying capacity is fixed and never changes

Answer: (A)

Exponential growth happens when resources are plentiful and the population grows at a constant per-capita rate, so the total number increases rapidly in a J-shaped curve. In contrast, logistic growth starts similarly but as the population grows, competition for limited resources reduces the per-capita growth rate, causing the overall growth to slow and eventually level off as it approaches carrying capacity.

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals the environment can sustain indefinitely given the available resources, space, and other factors. This limit can change if conditions or resources shift, so it's not a fixed constant.