The carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size that can be supported or sustained by a giv

9. The carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size that can be supported or sustained by a given environment. Which of the following statements about the carrying capacity is NOT true?


a. When a population overshoots K, individuals die due to lack of resources.
b. Once a population reaches its carrying capacity, the size of the population remains constant.
c. Environmental fluctuations cause the carrying capacity to fluctuate over time.
d. We can think of K as some "average" value that a given environment can support.

12. Why is the world population increasing?

a. Advances in medical technology are allowing the world population to live longer and decrease infant mortality.
b. Women in developing countries are continuing to have more children, thereby increasing the global fertility rate.
c. The global birth rate is continuing to surpass the death rate.
d. A significant portion of the global population is getting older and retiring earlier.

The world population reached seven billion in 2011. At current growth rate, it is expected to reach eight billion by 2024 and nine billion by 2037.

However, many projections predict that the world population will level off at around 9 billion individuals.

13. Why is the world population expected to level off?

a. The global fertility rate has been decreasing for the past 20 years and is expected to decline even further.
b. More than a third of the world population is expected to be aged 60 years or above in 2100.
c. The Earth’s carrying capacity is estimated at 9 billion individuals, when the global birth rate and death rate become equivalent.
d. Recent technological and medical advances led to increased life expectancy, allowing individuals to live longer.

15. What is the purpose of age pyramids?

a. It is used to compare exponential or logistic growth rate.
b. It helps to determine whether the population is K-selected or r-selected.
c. It is useful in determining whether a population is at carrying capacity or not.
d. It is a useful tool to predict the future population size of a region.