Before You Begin
Question #45946
The Question
In a logistic growth model for a population of Drosophila under limited resources, as the population size (N) expands from 20% to 50% of its carrying capacity (K), how do the absolute growth rate (dN/dt) and the realized relative (per-capita) growth rate respond to the increasing environmental resistance?
Options
- A.
The absolute growth rate (dN/dt) increases, while the realized relative growth rate declines.
- B.
Both the absolute growth rate (dN/dt) and the realized relative growth rate decline due to the factor (K-N)/K.
- C.
The absolute growth rate (dN/dt) decreases, while the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) increases.
- D.
The absolute growth rate (dN/dt) remains constant, while the realized relative growth rate increases exponentially.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Birth/Death Rate vs Immigration/Emigration|Absolute vs Relative Growth
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: The decoupling of absolute vs. relative growth.
Students often assume that because environmental resistance [(K-N)/K] is increasing (lowering the per-capita reproduction rate), the total number of individuals added (dN/dt) must also drop.
They fail to realize that the expanding base population (N) overcompensates for the declining per-capita rate until the inflection point at K/2, creating a massive absolute addition despite a falling relative rate.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Plant Growth and Development - Class 11 |
| Concept | Absolute vs Relative Growth |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |