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Give an example of exponential population growth. a. salamanders adapting to fungal infections b. polar bears living in a warming habitat c. bacteria growing in enriched medium in a lab d. feral cats being trapped and neutered in a suburb

Short Answer

Expert verified
(c) Bacteria growing in enriched medium in a lab

Step by step solution

01

Understand Exponential Population Growth

Exponential population growth refers to a situation where the growth rate of a population is proportional to the size of the population. This means that the population grows faster as it becomes larger.
02

Analyze the Provided Options

Evaluate each option to identify which scenario involves exponential population growth:(a) Salamanders adapting to fungal infections: This is more about adaptation than population growth.(b) Polar bears living in a warming habitat: This likely involves population decline due to habitat loss.(c) Bacteria growing in enriched medium in a lab: Bacteria can rapidly multiply in an optimal environment, suggesting exponential growth.(d) Feral cats being trapped and neutered in a suburb: This implies population control rather than growth.
03

Identify the Correct Answer

Among the given options, bacteria growing in an enriched medium in a lab (option c) best fits the criteria for exponential population growth.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Population Growth Models
Population growth models help us understand how populations change over time. There are a few different types, but they all aim to predict the future size of a population based on certain assumptions. Two common models are:

  • Exponential Growth Model: This model assumes that resources are unlimited and the population grows at a constant rate. The growth accelerates as the population size increases.
  • Logistic Growth Model: This assumes that resources become limited as the population grows, leading to a slowdown in growth. It shows a more S-shaped curve where the population eventually stabilizes.
Understanding these models helps researchers and policymakers make decisions on wildlife conservation, urban planning, and even understanding human impacts on the environment.
Exponential Growth
Exponential growth happens when the growth rate of a population is directly proportional to its current size. This means that as the population gets larger, it grows faster.
If you plot exponential growth on a graph, it creates a steep upward curve. Here's the mathematical representation:

\( N(t) = N_0 \times e^{rt} \)

Where:
  • \( N(t) \) is the population size at time \( t \)
  • \( N_0 \) is the initial population size
  • \( r \) is the growth rate
  • \( e \) is the base of the natural logarithm (approximately 2.71828)

A real-world example of exponential growth is bacteria in a lab setting. When bacteria are placed in a nutrient-rich environment, they can multiply rapidly. This rapid multiplication continues as long as there are plenty of resources. However, once resources become scarce, the growth slows down.
Biological Examples of Growth
To better understand exponential growth, let's look at some biological examples:

  • **Bacteria in a Lab**: As mentioned in the exercise solution, bacteria in an enriched medium can show exponential growth. Starting from a small number, they can double rapidly, leading to a large population in a short time.
  • **Human Population**: Historically, the human population has shown periods of exponential growth, especially after the Industrial Revolution. Improved healthcare and food supply contributed to this rapid increase.

Exponential growth is not just limited to bacteria or humans. Other examples include certain invasive species that enter a new environment with abundant resources or ideal conditions. Understanding these examples helps in predicting and managing population growth in real-world scenarios.

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