Population Dynamics

This interactive simulation allows students to explore two classic mathematical models that describe how populations change over time: the exponential and logistic growth models.

The exponential growth model describes how a population changes if its growth is unlimited. This model can be applied to populations that are small and/or have no competition for resources. The logistic growth model describes how a population changes if there is an upper limit to its growth. This model can be applied to populations that are limited by food, space, competition, and other density-dependent factors.

In this Click & Learn, students can easily graph and explore both the exponential and logistic growth models. Students can set multiple model parameters, such as starting population size, time, and carrying capacity, and observe how population growth is affected by changing any of these variables.

The accompanying worksheets guide students’ exploration. The “Student Worksheet” introduces students to the Click & Learn by having them analyze different components of the models, generate and interpret related plots, and investigate examples of population growth in bacteria and humans. The “African Wildlife Case Studies” handout allows students to apply the Click & Learn to three case studies involving African antelope populations, including wildebeest.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.