Question

In population, unrestricted reproductive capacity is called as
a. Biotic potential
b. Fertility
c. Carrying capacity
d. Birth rate

Answer 1

Hint: The population of the particular area mainly depends on birth rate, death rate, sex ratio and population density. The carrying capacity includes the maximum number of population when resources are limited. The biotic potential involves birth of offspring which can cause increase in population if not regulated.

Complete answer:
• Population of the organisms refers to the number of organisms present in a particular area. It depends on some attributes such as: birth rate, death rate, sex ratio, and age distribution and population density.
• The physiological capacity of the organisms to produce their offspring under natural conditions is called biotic potential. It is also known as reproductive potential. The survival of all the organisms is not possible due to the lack of food and space even if their biotic potential is enormous.
• Nature selects some specific organisms which survive in nature. Every organism plays its important role to maintain balance in the ecosystem. There are many types of interactions found between organisms such as predation, parasitism, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and ammensalism. The population of specific organisms reduces due to various reasons such as predation or number of diseases.
• The environment has its specific carrying capacity for the maximum number of individuals to support and sustain.
• Birth rate refers to the number of offspring born per female per unit time. The number of live births occurring in a year per 100 women of child bearing age is called the fertility rate of the population.
• In the population, unrestricted reproductive capacity is called biotic potential.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Population of given area can be calculated by surveying birth and death rates, emigration and immigrate in that area. When the resources are unlimited, the population shows an exponential growth curve and a logistic growth curve appears when the resources are limited. It forms below the carrying capacity of the environment.