Population Biology Population Dynamics Principles of Population Growth Exponential growth: as a population gets larger, it also grows at a faster rate (makes a J-shaped curve on a graph) A population cannot grow indefinitely; eventually, factors such as lack of food, disease, etc. will slow population growth (makes an S-shaped curve on a graph) Carrying capacity: the number of organisms of one species that an environment can support indefinitely When a population overshoots the carrying capacity, limiting factors may come into effect Reproduction Patterns Populations are always naturally fluctuating Life-history pattern: an organism?s reproductive pattern Rapid life-history patterns are common among organisms from changeable or unpredictable environments