Resources are plentiful initially so yeast population size increases rapidly. This is an exp_____ increase.
exponential
what that
The term is "exponential increase."
what does that mean
An exponential increase refers to a situation in which the growth rate of a population is proportional to its current size. In other words, as the population gets larger, its rate of growth accelerates rapidly. This leads to a sharply increasing population size over time. It is characterized by a curved, upward trajectory on a graph.
The term you are looking for is "exponential increase." An exponential increase occurs when the growth rate of a population is proportional to its current size, resulting in a continuously accelerating growth rate. In the context of yeast population size, this means that as long as there is an abundance of resources, the yeast population will rapidly grow in size.
To understand how this exponential increase occurs, let's break it down into steps:
1. Availability of Resources: Initially, there are plenty of resources (such as nutrients, space, and favorable conditions) for the yeast population. These resources support their growth.
2. Reproduction Rate: Yeast reproduces through a process called budding, where new yeast cells form as outgrowths on existing cells. Each cell can produce offspring at a certain rate, typically dividing every 1-2 hours in optimal conditions.
3. Rapid Reproduction: With an abundance of resources, yeast cells can reproduce at their maximum potential rate. This means that every time a yeast cell divides, it results in an increase in the population size.
4. Continuous Cycle: As the yeast population size grows, more yeast cells are available to reproduce. Thus, the rate of reproduction also increases. This creates a feedback loop where each new generation of yeast cells can produce more offspring than the previous generation.
5. Unrestricted Growth: Since resources are abundant initially, there are no limiting factors (such as nutrient depletion or space constraints) that would slow down the growth rate. Consequently, the yeast population size can increase rapidly and exponentially.
It's important to note that this exponential growth is temporary and is dependent on the availability of resources. Eventually, as resources become limited, the growth rate will slow down, and the population will reach a point of equilibrium, known as the carrying capacity.