A population that has not to reached the carrying capacity is likely to :

Options

A. Decline in number
B. Grow exponentially
C. Remain stable in number
D. Grow but not at an exponential rate

Answer

To solve the question regarding a population that has not yet reached its carrying capacity, we can break down the concepts involved step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Carrying Capacity**:
- Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support. This is influenced by various environmental factors such as food availability, water supply, shelter, and other resources.

2. **Population Growth Stages**:
- When a population is below its carrying capacity, it typically has ample resources available. This situation allows the population to grow without the limitations imposed by resource scarcity.

3. **Exponential Growth**:
- In the initial stages of population growth, when resources are abundant and the population is below carrying capacity, the growth is often exponential. This means that the population size increases rapidly as each individual contributes to the growth of the population.

4. **Logistic Growth Model**:
- As the population approaches the carrying capacity, the growth rate will slow down and eventually stabilize. This is represented by the logistic growth model, which shows an S-shaped curve. However, if the population has not yet reached this capacity, it will continue to grow exponentially.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, a population that has not reached its carrying capacity is likely to grow exponentially until it approaches that limit.

### Final Answer:
A population that has not reached the carrying capacity is likely to **grow exponentially**.

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