A population of Paramecium caudatum was grown in a culture medium. After 5 days the culture medium became overcrowded with Paramecium and had depleted nutrients. What will happen to the population and what type of growth curve will population attain? Draw the growth curve.

Explanation

In the beginning, Paramecium showed exponential or logarithmic growth due to high availability of nutrients but no predation so the popuation showed rapid growth. But with the increase in population size, there will be corresponding decrease in the availability of the nutrient and space. Nutrients will finally beocme exhausted. Then a severe intraspecific competition for the nutrients will start and will cause sudden increase in mortality rate, called population crash. Growth curve obtained will be J-shaped.