Question

compare linear, exponential, and logistic growth.

	linear growth	exponential growth	logistic growth
growth rate initially increases over time but then decreases and eventually reaches zero	○	○	○
growth rate continues increasing over time	○	○	○
occurs when resources are essentially unlimited and the number of reproductive individuals increases	○	○	○
occurs when the number of reproductive individuals doesnt change	○	○	○
occurs when resources are limited	○	○	○

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the definitions of each growth type:

• Linear Growth: The growth rate (slope) is constant over time. The number of reproductive individuals doesn’t change (since the rate is constant).
• Exponential Growth: Occurs when resources are unlimited, so the growth rate (proportional to population size) increases over time as the number of reproductive individuals grows.
• Logistic Growth: Starts with exponential-like growth (unlimited resources initially) but slows as resources become limited, so the growth rate increases then decreases to zero (when carrying capacity is reached).

Matching each row:

1. Growth rate stays roughly constant over time → Linear growth (constant rate).
2. Growth rate initially increases over time but then decreases and eventually reaches zero → Logistic growth (slows as resources limit).
3. Growth rate continues increasing over time → Exponential growth (unlimited resources, rate accelerates).
4. Occurs when resources are essentially unlimited and the number of reproductive individuals increases → Exponential growth (unlimited resources drive increasing reproductive individuals).
5. Occurs when the number of reproductive individuals doesn’t change → Linear growth (constant rate, so reproductive individuals don’t change).
6. Occurs when resources are limited → Logistic growth (limited resources cause growth to slow).

Answer:

Description	Linear growth	Exponential growth	Logistic growth
Growth rate initially increases over time but then decreases and eventually reaches zero	◯	◯	⚫
Growth rate continues increasing over time	◯	⚫	◯
Occurs when resources are essentially unlimited and the number of reproductive individuals increases	◯	⚫	◯
Occurs when the number of reproductive individuals doesn’t change	⚫	◯	◯
Occurs when resources are limited	◯	◯	⚫

(Note: In the table, ⚫ represents the correct selection for each row.)