The logistic growth model describes substrate-based growth, where the growth rate of a population is initially exponential but slows down as the population approaches the carrying capacity due to limited resources (substrates). This model is characterized by a sigmoidal (S-shaped) curve, where growth rate decreases as the population size nears the environmental carrying capacity.
(1) Substrate-based Growth:
- Logistic growth occurs when organisms face limitations in their environment, such as limited nutrients or space. The growth rate depends on the availability of resources, and the population stabilizes when the carrying capacity is reached.
(2) Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- Product-based growth (Option 1) refers to models where the growth is driven by product formation, but logistic growth is not specifically about product accumulation.
- Non-growth (Option 2) is incorrect because the logistic model describes growth, although it eventually plateaus as resources become limited.
- Maintenance-based growth (Option 4) is not directly related to the logistic growth model, which describes population growth rather than just maintaining existing population levels.
Conclusion:
The logistic growth model describes substrate-based growth, where a population's growth rate slows as it approaches the carrying capacity due to limited resources.