Which statement about carrying capacity (K)is true?
A) When N = K,the birth rate in a population is necessarily zero.
B) The rate of population growth in an unlimited environment is proportional to K.
C) At K,the population must have a negative growth rate.
D) At K,the population must have a positive growth rate.
E) In a population at its K,the birth rate equals the death rate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At carrying capacity (K), the population is in equilibrium, meaning that the birth rate equals the death rate. This is because resources are limited and the population size cannot increase further, so any new individuals born must replace those that have died. Choice A is incorrect because the birth rate does not necessarily have to be zero at K, only that the birth rate equals the death rate. Choice B is incorrect because population growth is not proportional to K in an unlimited environment, but rather it is exponential. Choice C is incorrect because a negative growth rate would mean the population is decreasing, but at K the population size is stable. Choice D is incorrect for the same reason as choice C.

Which Statement About Carrying Capacity (K)is True