Answer: It behaves nearly like exponential growth, since (K-N)/K is close to 1.
- A It approaches a growth rate of zero almost immediately under these conditions
- B It behaves nearly like exponential growth, since (K-N)/K is close to 1
- C It behaves like negative growth, with the population actively declining
- D It is identical to the flattened logistic curve seen exactly at carrying capacity K
Correct answer: B. It behaves nearly like exponential growth, since (K-N)/K is close to 1
Explanation: When N is much smaller than K, the term (K-N)/K is close to 1, so dN/dt approximates rN, making early logistic growth resemble exponential growth before resource limitation slows it.
Exponential growth produces an ever-steepening J-curve with no limit, an unrealistic long-term model; logistic growth produces an S-curve that levels off at the carrying capacity K, as growth rate (K−N)/K shrinks to zero once resources are fully used.
Concept context
How organisms interact with abiotic factors and respond to stress, plus population attributes, growth models, and interspecific interactions such as predation, competition, and mutualism.