Final answer:
The industrial and scientific revolutions in the 1800s led to exponential population growth, which means the population grew at an increasing rate. Technological advancements, better living conditions, and improved medicine significantly increased human carrying capacity, accentuating this growth until populations stabilized upon reaching environmental carrying capacities. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The industrial and scientific revolutions in the 1800s led to a period of exponential population growth. This means that the population grew at an increasing rate, rather than declining, remaining stable, or growing at a consistent rate.
There were several factors contributing to this growth, including technological advancements like the steam engine, which improved agricultural productivity and increased the amount of resources available to sustain human life. Additionally, improvements in sanitation, medicine, and standards of living led to higher birth rates and lower death rates.
The carrying capacity of the environment increased, as humans harnessed technology to produce more food and manage resources more effectively. An interpretation of the population history would suggest that, while the population grew slowly after the Dark Ages, it began to increase rapidly during the 18th and 19th centuries due to scientific advancements and the Industrial Revolution.
Then, in the mid-19th century, the integration of fossil fuels and mechanized farming propelled population growth even further.
Eventually, as resources are consumed and the carrying capacity of the environment is met, populations tend to stabilize. This has been seen in human populations with demographic shifts, where birth rates equal death rates, and total population size levels off after a period of exponential or logistic growth.