Which of the following statements is correct regarding population growth?

Study for the DAT Quantitative Reasoning Test with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Hone your skills and get ready for your exam!

Population growth within an ecosystem is significantly influenced by the concept of carrying capacity, which refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support. As populations grow, they utilize available resources, such as food, water, and shelter. When a population reaches its carrying capacity, resources become limited, which in turn affects reproduction rates and survival, ultimately stabilizing population size.

This dynamic illustrates that while factors like predation, disease, and competition can influence populations, the underlying limitation imposed by carrying capacity plays a critical role in understanding how populations grow and regulate themselves. The other statements do not accurately represent ecological principles; for example, pollution can indeed have serious effects on population dynamics, and biotic potential varies significantly among different species, meaning not all species share the same potential for growth.

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