Exponential growth rate of a population is graphically represented by -
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → J-shaped curve
When resources are unlimited, every individual can reproduce fully, and the population grows faster and faster. This is exponential (geometric) growth, dN/dt = rN. A plot of N against time rises slowly at first and then shoots up, like the letter J.
Option (4) J-shaped curve — Correct. When resources are unlimited, a population grows exponentially. Plotting N against time gives a J-shaped curve; logistic growth under limited resources gives an S-shaped curve.
NCERT Extract:
Growth Models – “… The above equation describes the exponential or geometric growth pattern of a population (Figure 11.3) and results in a J-shaped curve when we plot N in relation to time.”