Question

question 4 of 25
a population of beetles is kept in a controlled ecosystem. no beetles are
allowed to enter or leave. the graph below shows the population of beetles.
beetle population
which best describes the ecosystem at point c?
a. it has not reached carrying capacity.
b. population growth is exponential.
c. there are plenty of resources.
d. the beetles are competing for resources.

Explanation:

At Point C, the population growth slows down. This indicates that resources are becoming limited. When resources are scarce, individuals (beetles in this case) compete for them.

• Option A is incorrect because the population is approaching the carrying capacity (the dotted line), not that it hasn't reached it.
• Option B is wrong as exponential growth (like in the early phase of the curve, not at Point C) has a J - shaped curve, and at Point C, the growth is S - shaped (logistic).
• Option C is incorrect because if there were plenty of resources, the population would continue to grow exponentially.

Answer:

D. The beetles are competing for resources.