A Population of Prickly Pear Cacti Has 1,500 Individuals with an Intrinsic

question 3

Multiple Choice

A population of prickly pear cacti has 1,500 individuals with an intrinsic rate of increase (r) of 0.3. As the population gets close to its carrying capacity of 2,000 individuals, how will r change?

• A) r will be near 0.
• B) r will be less than zero.
• C) r will be slightly less than 0.3.
• D) r will be slightly more than 0.3.

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Definitions:

Heterochrony

A concept in biology that refers to the timing of developmental events, which can lead to differences in size, shape, and features among organisms.

Developing Organism

Refers to an organism in the stages of growth and development from conception to maturity.

Zygote

The initial cell formed when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell, marking the beginning of an organism’s development.

Pregnancies

The condition or period of being pregnant, encompassing the development of one or more offspring inside a woman's uterus.