Question

linear growth is most likely to occur when the number of reproductive individuals does not change with population size.
which of these populations is most likely to grow linearly?

a pride of lions, which gains more reproductive females as the pride grows

a population of bacteria, in which all individuals reproduce asexually

a colony of bees, which always has one reproductive female no matter how big the colony gets

Explanation:

To determine which population grows linearly, we use the given rule: linear growth occurs when the number of reproductive individuals does not change with population size.

• For the lion pride: It gains more reproductive females as it grows, so the number of reproducers changes. Thus, it's not linear.
• For the bacteria population: All individuals reproduce asexually, meaning as the population grows, the number of reproducers (all individuals) increases. So, it's not linear.
• For the bee colony: It always has one reproductive female, regardless of colony size. The number of reproducers is constant. This fits the condition for linear growth.

Answer:

a colony of bees, which always has one reproductive female no matter how big the colony gets