Final answer:
Exponential growth is an example of a positive feedback loop because the rate of growth increases with the population size, leading to a rapid increase in numbers. This self-reinforcing mechanism results in a population that grows increasingly faster until limited by environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exponential growth is considered an example of a positive feedback loop because as a population grows, the increase in size fuels further growth. This is expressed mathematically as P = rP, where 'P' represents the population, and 'r' is the growth rate. A key characteristic of exponential growth is that the growth rate, the number of individuals added during each reproductive generation, increases over time. Positive feedback loops are self-reinforcing cycles where an initial change leads to a further increase in that change. In biology, this often translates to more individuals leading to more breeding, resulting in an even larger population size, creating a runaway condition.
Examples of exponential growth include bacteria growing in a medium with ample resources, where they can double in number every hour. However, in nature, the environment's carrying capacity will eventually provide negative feedback that slows down or stops population growth, preventing exponential growth from continuing indefinitely.