Final answer:
Exponential growth occurs when a population grows without any limits to its growth, resulting in a rapid increase in population size over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exponential growth occurs when a population grows without any limits to its growth. This is represented by a J-shaped curve, where the population starts growing slowly and then rapidly increases in size as time passes. For example, if a population of bacteria is provided with unlimited resources like food and water, it can grow at an exponential rate.