Question

As the density of a population increases, the

A) survival rate increases.
B) reproductive rate increases.
C) intensity of intraspecific competition decreases.
D) individual growth rate decreases.

Answer 1

As the density of a population increases, intraspecific competition increases, leading to limited resources, which causes the individual growth rate to decrease.

So, the correct answer is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Density-dependent regulation in biology refers to the phenomena where population growth is regulated by the density of the population itself. Factors such as predation, intraspecific competition, accumulation of waste, and diseases play a crucial role in determining the population size. When the density of a population increases, intraspecific competition also increases, leading to limited resources, and as a consequence, the individual growth rate decreases.

As the population grows, sufficient resources such as food become scarce, and organisms must compete more intensely with each other to survive and reproduce. This increased competition can result in reduced reproductive rates and increased mortality rates among the population members. In conclusion, the correct answer to the question is D) individual growth rate decreases.