Question

the graph shows how populations found in various regions of the world have changed over the years.
which statement best describes the type of growth shown by selected regions on the graph?
region 1 reaches its carrying capacity around the year 1990, while region 4 shows exponential growth.
region 1 shows exponential growth, while region 4 reaches its carrying capacity around the year 1992.
all the regions of the world show exponential growth.
all the regions of the world reach their carrying capacity by 2010.

Explanation:

• For Region 1: The population size of Region 1 is continuously increasing over the years (from 1960 - 2010). In an exponential growth model, the population size increases without bound (in a non - realistic sense for very long times, but in the context of the graph's time frame, 1960 - 2010, it is growing in a way that is not leveling off).
• For Region 4: The population size of Region 4 levels off around 1992. Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support. When a population reaches carrying capacity, its growth rate slows down and eventually stops (levels off), which is what Region 4 shows.
• For the “All regions” options:
• Not all regions show exponential growth. Regions like Region 4, 6, 7 do not have a continuously increasing population size (they level off or have a very slow growth that is not exponential).
• Not all regions reach their carrying capacity by 2010. Region 1 is still growing in 2010.

Answer:

Region 1 shows exponential growth, while region 4 reaches its carrying capacity around the year 1992.