10

Science
Quarter 3 – Module 7.2:
Relationship Between
Population Growth and
Carrying Capacity
Science – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 7.2: Relationship Between Population Growth and Carrying
Capacity
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Glenda L. Viola
Editors: Mary Rose S. Canoy, MSc
Reviewers: Ann Christian A. Francisco
Illustrator: Cornelio H. Espiritu Jr.
Layout Artist: Al John U. Febrero
Management Team: May B. Eclar, CESO III
Librada M.Rubio, PhD
Ma. Editha R. Caparas, EdD
Nestor R. Nuesca, EdD
Larry B. Espiritu,PhD
Rodolfo A. Dizon, PhD
Mary Queen P. Orpilla, PhD

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Region III

Office Address: Matalino St. ,Diosdado Macapagal Center Maimpis,

City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Telefax: (045) 598-8580 to 89
E-mail Address: region3@deped.gov.ph
 10

Science
Quarter 3 – Module 7.2:
Relationship Between
Population Growth and Carrying
Capacity
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, dear learners can continue
your studies and learn while at home. Activities, directions, exercises, and
discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as
you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This
will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask
your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson.
At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your
learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will
be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teachers are also provided
to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best
help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this
SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read
the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any question in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks
in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written to help you understand the concept
about the Relationship Between Population Growth and Carrying Capacity. This
module focuses on the two kinds of limiting factors which will lead you to understand
how population growth affects the carrying capacity of a certain environment. It will
also give you an idea of what sustainable development and a balanced ecosystem
is.an

Different activities are provided in this module for you to develop your better
understanding in the lesson.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the difference between density-dependent and density-independent
limiting factors;
2. differentiate logistic growth from exponential growth; and
3. explain the relationship between population growth from carrying capacity.
(S10LT-IIIi-42)

Notes to the Facilitator

The activities in this module are arranged from simple to complex in
order to help the learners gradually master the desired learning
competency. Your support and guidance are needed so that they will be
able to perform the task later –to explain the relationship between
population growth and carrying capacity.
 What I Know

Directions: Read the following statements carefully. Write T if the statement is

correct, and F if otherwise. Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet
of paper.

1. A population’s growth is limited by density-independent factor and density

dependent factor.
2. Natural disasters, temperature, sunlight and human activities in the environment
are examples of density-independent factors.
3. When the population reaches the carrying capacity of its environment, population
growth will stop.
4. The graph below shows an exponential growth of human population.

5. When an organism has reached the carrying capacity of its environment, its
population will still increase.
 Lesson Biology: Relationship
1 Between Population Growth
and Carrying Capacity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms in different ecosystems. In an
article published by usaid.gov. bwiser, 2016, Philippines is considered as one of the
17 mega biodiverse countries in the world containing 2/3 of the Earth’s biodiversity
and 70% of the world’s plants and animal species. It is geographical isolation with
an area of 300,000 square meters and tropical climate made it a perfect place to
inhabit a variety of life forms.

It is an advantage that our country’s richness in biodiversity provides its

people plenty of food, medicine, building materials and the likes. However, with this
number of populations in our country, including the human population, are the
resources sufficient enough for all the living organisms to live properly? What do you
think are the limiting factors that may hinder the continuous growth of some
species?
As you proceed to the lesson, you will learn more about population growth
and carrying capacity.

What’s In

Directions: Supply the missing letters to complete the given words being described
by the following phrases. Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet
of paper.

Word/s Phrases
1. B _ _ D I V _ R S _ _ Y Variety of life in an area

2. P _ P _ L _ T _ _ N Group of living things within a

3. C _ R R Y _ N G C_P_C_TY
4. L _ M _ T I N G F _ C T _ R
5. P _ P U L _ T _ O N D _ N S _ _ Y
certain area that are all of the same
species
The maximum population size an
environment can support
Anything that limits population size
and helps balance the ecosystem
Equal to the number of individuals
per unit area
 What’s New

Activity 1. INCREASE or DECREASE?

Directions: Read each case carefully. Write the word INCREASE if there is a growth
in species population and DECREASE if there is a decline in population. Write your
answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet of paper.

1. The monkey-eating eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is considered endangered

species due to its extremely low birth rate.
2. In some places where access to contraceptives are lacking and generally low level
of female education, their fertility rates are high.
3. Women give birth at a late age in places where access to contraceptives is
sufficient.
4. The discovery of vaccines to some disease-causing bacteria or viruses saves the
lives of many people from death.
5. Construction of dams, highways and urbanization destroy the habitat of some
species.

The two basic reasons why a population’s size increases, or decreases are
the birth rate (natality) and the death rate (mortality). If the birth rate is greater
than the death rate, a population will increase. If the birth rate is slower than the
death rate, the population will decrease.

To be able to differentiate the two kinds of limiting factors, proceed to the

next activity.
Activity 2: DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT LIMITING FACTOR?

Directions: Identify the limiting factor in each illustrated situation. Choose your
answer from the pool of limiting factors inside the box, and categorize it as density-
dependent or density-independent. Write your answers in your notebook/on a
separate sheet of paper.

disease-causing bacteria and viruses forest fire food space storm surge
storm surge

Density-dependent or
Illustration Limiting Factor/s Density-independent
limiting factor
 In this activity, you have learned that there are two kinds of limiting factors;
the density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors.

Density-dependent limiting factors are factors that depend on the size of a

certain population. If the population is already high, these factors will limit the
increase of population size. Such density-dependent limiting factors are the
availability of food, water, and space. While density-independent limiting factors are
those that limit the size of population regardless of the population number. Some
examples are natural disasters, temperature, and sunlight.

What is It
After differentiating density-dependent from density-independent limiting
factors, you are now ready to explore deeper the concepts about population growth
and carrying capacity.
A population is a group of living things within a certain area that are all of
the same species. Several different populations may be found in a community.
Populations can be of the same size but they may have different densities.
Population density is defined as the number of organisms per unit area. Figure 1
illustrates the difference between low population density and high population
density.

A. Fishes in an aquarium with B. Fishes in a pond with high

low population density population density

In a high population density, there are a lot of organisms crowded in a certain

area, while in a low population density, only few organisms are in an area. Differences
in population densities in any community may be attributed to limiting factors.

Limiting factors limit the size of a population. These factors prevent the
growing population of any organism in an area, which will be limited, or stopped at
some point. Limiting factors are categorized into two: the density-independent
limiting factors and density-dependent limiting factors.
 If the population’s density does not directly influence changes in population
growth, then it is called a density-independent limiting factor. Examples include
natural disasters like tropical cyclones, floods, earthquakes and fires. These natural
phenomena will stop a population from growing no matter how many organisms are
living in a certain place. The same goes for the temperature of an area and the
amount of sunlight it receives. If the temperature increases due to global warming,
this will cause a decrease in a population’s numbers, no matter how large or small
the population was to begin with. Human activities that alter the environment will
also decrease the number of organisms in a population, regardless of the size of the
population.

A factor that regulates a population’s growth and is influenced by

population density is called density-dependent limiting factors. Density-
dependent limiting factors come into play when a population reaches a certain
number of organisms. For example, when a population reaches a certain size, there
will not be enough resources (food, shelter, water) for all the organisms. This could
cause the population to stop growing when it reaches the maximum number of
organisms that can be supported or “carried”, by the environment. This number is
known as the population’s carrying capacity in a particular environment. Each
population of organisms has a different carrying capacity, depending on the amount
of resources available in the area in which it lives.

Below is a graph showing the population of goats over a certain period of time.

Figure 2: Graph of a habitat where a goat population has reached its carrying capacity
 The graph shows that before a goat population reaches its carrying capacity,
it experiences a period of rapid growth. This period of growth is called exponential
population growth. During this period, there are plenty of resources available for
all organisms, so more births are recorded than deaths of organisms.

Figure 3: Graph of exponential growth and logistic growth

When resources are unlimited, populations exhibit exponential growth,

resulting in a J-shaped curve. When resources are limited, populations exhibit
logistic growth. In logistic growth, population expansion decreases as resources
become scarce, and it levels off when the carrying capacity of the environment is
reached, resulting in an S-shaped curve.
 Limiting Factors that Depend on Illustration
Population Density
Diseases and parasites- infectious diseases
and parasites spread faster in densely
populated areas.

Competition for resources- organisms with

better adaptations to obtain (food) resources
will be able to reproduce more often, and its
population will grow. The organisms that
have limited abilities to compete for the
resources will not reproduce as often, may
not be fit enough to live long, and can cause
their population to decrease.

Predation- plenty of prey are available,

predators will be able to eat sufficiently, thus
have energy to reproduce much, and
increase their numbers. The population of
the prey will begin to decrease as more and
more of them are eaten. However, the
predator population will eventually reach
carrying capacity-there will not be enough
prey for all of the predators in the
population, since the predators themselves
compete for their “prey” resources. As the
number of prey decreases, so will the
number of predators because there is not
enough food to sustain them.
Emigration- It occurs when a population
approaches its carrying capacity, and
individual organisms leave and go to a new
area where they can find enough resources
for survival and reproduction. This will
obviously cause decrease in the amount of
organisms in a population.
 Organisms need a balanced ecosystem. Their number should not exceed in
the carrying capacity of their respective environment. This is called sustainable
development.

It’s a big challenge to maintain the resources needed for survival while
ensuring that they will still be available in the future.

What’s More

Activity 1: Let’s Compare!

Directions: Compare the two aquariums below, then answer the questions that follow.
Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet of paper.

A B
. .

1. Which of the two aquariums has higher population density?

A. Aquarium A
B. Aquarium B
C. Both A and B
D. Cannot be determined
2. Which of the following is a density-dependent limiting factor in the aquarium?
A. Food
B. Oxygen
C. Space
D. All of the above
3. In what aquarium do fishes grow and breed faster? Why?
A. In aquarium A, because fishes have bigger space to swim.
B. In aquarium B, because fishes can adapt to their environment.
C. In aquarium B, because foods and oxygen are supplied to the fishes.
D. In aquarium A, because the sources of food and oxygen are sufficient
for a few fish.
4. What will happen when a fish population reaches its maximum carrying capacity?
A. The fish population will stop growing because basic resources will not be
enough for them.
B. The fish population will continue to grow because they are only small
species.
C. The fish population will not change because they will not breed anymore.
D. All of the above
5. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. If the population size reaches its carrying capacity, organisms die because
the environment can no longer sustain the needs of its organisms.
B. Each population of organisms has different carrying capacity, depending
on the amount of resources available in the area where they live.
C. The population of organisms cannot grow forever because of the limiting
factors that limit their growth.
D. All of the above

Activity 2: What Limits the Growth?

Directions: Determine the following limiting factors as density-dependent or

density-independent. Copy the box of density-dependent and density-independent
in your notebook/on a separate sheet of paper and then write the letter of
your answers.

FACTORS

A. Amount of sunlight receives E. Pandemic caused by COVID-19 virus

B. Deforestation F. Space for building houses
C. Insufficient supply of food G. Typhoon Yolanda
D. Lack of water resources H. 1990 killer earthquake

Density-dependent Density-independent
Activity 3. LOGISTIC VS. EXPONENTIAL

Directions: Refer to the graphs below, then determine the following statements as
true or false. Write the word POPULATION if the statement is true, otherwise write
GROWTH. Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet of paper.

Graph A Graph B

1. Graph A shows an exponential growth graph while Graph B shows a logistic

growth graph.

2. A population exhibits an exponential growth when the resources are sufficient

and unlimited and logistic growth when the basic resources are insufficient
for all organisms.

3. In graph B, the flatten curve indicates that the population reaches its carrying
capacity.

4. Graph B indicates that before a population reaches its carrying capacity, it

experiences a period of rapid growth.

5. The period of exponential population growth is a period where a certain

population experiences scarcity of resources and basic needs.
 What I Have Learned

Directions: Complete the paragraph by providing the correct answers found in

the word pool. Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet of
paper.

carrying capacity individual natural disasters

density limiting factor population
density-dependent maximum rises
density-independent

A (1) __________ is defined as a group of living things within a certain area

that are all of the same species. Populations can be of the same size, but they may
have different (2) _________. Population density is equal to the number of (3)
__________per unit area. The size of a population is controlled by (4) __________
factors which are categorized into two; the density-independent limiting factors and
the (5) __________ limiting factors. (6)__________ such as tropical cyclones, floods,
earthquakes and fires are examples of (7)__________limiting factors which stop the
population from growing regardless of how many organisms are living in a certain
area. On the other hand, availability of basic needs such as foods, water, and oxygen
are examples of density-dependent limiting factors which control the growth of a
population when their number is already in the (8) __________ carrying capacity.
These factors are dependent on the number of organisms the environment is
sustaining. The maximum number that a particular environment can support is
called its (9) __________. Each population of organism has different carrying
capacity, depending on the amount of resources available in the area in which it
lives. If the population size (10) __________ above the carrying capacity, some
organisms die because not all their needs are sustained or provided.
 What I Can Do

Directions: Choose one problem from the first column that destructs or harms an
ecosystem. Suggest at least one proposed strategy or possible solution to the chosen
problem to lessen the negative impact to biodiversity. Write your answers in your
notebook/on a separate sheet of paper.
Problem in a Community that Proposed Strategy/ Solution to the
Destructs or Harms an Ecosystem Problem

1. Farmlands are converted into housing

projects.
2. River ecosystem is dumped with
garbage.
3. Forested area is converted into
technopark/tourist spot.
Your answer will be graded base on the following criteria.

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Relevance The proposed The proposed The proposed There’s no
solution was solution was solution was proposed
relevant to the relevant to the not much solution to the
problem, clear problem, clear relevant to the problem.
and detailed. but slightly not problem,
detailed. slightly clear
and with less
detail.
Strategy Identified Identified Identified only Demonstrated
multiple multiple a single little to no
approaches for approaches for approach for ability to
solving the solving the solving the identify an
problem that problem, only problem that approach for
apply within a some of which does apply solving the
specific context. apply within a within a problem.
specific context. specific
context.
Feasibility Recognized the Frequently Did not Had minimal
need for recognized the demonstrate thought of
multiple paths need for multiple well- reasoning in
to carry out the paths to carry developed carrying out the
plan. Reasoning out the plan. reasoning in plan
of thought is Reasoning in carrying out
fully developed carrying out the the plan
plan is well-
developed.
 Assessment

Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the maximum number of organisms that an environment can

support?
A. carrying capacity
B. limiting factor
C. population
D. population density
2. Which of the following factors regulates a population’s growth and is
influenced by population density?
A. carrying capacity
B. density-dependent limiting factor
C. density – independent limiting factor
D. food resources
3. Which of the following is NOT a density-independent factor?
A. food resources
B. human activities in the environment
C. natural disaster
D. temperature and sunlight
4. Cocolisap infestation outbreak has been declared in some parts of the
Philippines. The cocolisap feeds on the sap of the coconut trees and injects
toxic enzymes, resulting in discolored leaves and deformed plant tissues that
retard its growth of coconut tree. This results in a decrease of the survival rate
of coconut trees. Which of the following factors limit the population of coconut
tree?
A. competition for resources
B. diseases and parasites
C. emigration
D. predation
5. A person breeds ducks in a farm where there is plenty of food and water for
the ducks. After a few months, the breeder observes that all ducks are healthy
and start to mate. What do you think will happen to the population of ducks?
A. The population will increase.
B. The population will decrease.
C. The population will not be affected.
D. The population will remain the same.
 6. What kind of graph is shown below?

A. exotic growth
B. exponential growth
C. logistic growth
D. both A and B
For questions 7-8, study the illustration below.

7. What will happen when a fish population reaches its maximum carrying
capacity?
A. The fish population will stop growing because basic resources will not
be enough for them.
B. The fish population will continue to grow because they are only small
species.
C. The fish population will not change because they will not breed
anymore.
D. All of the above
8. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. If the population size reaches its carrying capacity, organisms die
because the environment can no longer sustain the needs of its
organisms.
B. Each population of organisms has different carrying capacity,
depending on the amount of resources available in the area where
they live.
C. The population of organisms cannot grow forever because of the
limiting factors that limit their growth.
D. All of the above
For item number 9, refer to the situation below:

Statistics shows that the number of COVID-19 patients in the Philippines keeps
increasing in number as of May 2020 due to COVID-19 virus.

9. What specific limiting factor is occurring in the Philippines and other parts of
the world?
A. diseases
B. emigration
C. natural disaster
D. predation
 10. What might happen to the population of COVID-19 virus if preventive
measures and proper treatment are administered to COVID-19 patients?
A. decrease
B. increase
C. remains the same
D. cannot be determined

Additional Activities

Directions: Write a one-paragraph essay about: “The importance of a balanced

ecosystem.” Write your answers in your notebook/on a separate sheet of paper.

Rubrics in writing your essay

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Content The essay has a The essay has The essay has The essay has
fully developed developed an no developed no connection
idea and all the idea but some of idea. with the given
content are the content are data.
correct. not correct.

Organization All the ideas and Some of the Very few ideas No ideas and
concepts are ideas and and concepts concepts are
organized and concepts are are organized organized and
clear. organized and and clear. clear.
clear.

Mechanics The essay is The essay is The essay is The essay is

and grammar composed of one composed one composed of composed of
paragraph with paragraph with one to two one to two
no grammatical few grammatical sentences with sentences with
errors. errors. no or few numerous
grammatical grammatical
errors. errors.
What I Know What’s New What I Have Learned
1. T Activity 1: 1. population
2. T 2. densities
3. T 1. DECREASE 3. individual
4. F 2. INCREASE 4. limiting factor
3. DECREASE 5. density-dependent
5. F
4. INCREASE 6. natural disasters
5. DECREASE 7. density-
independent
What's In Activity 2:
8. maximum
Density- 9. carrying capacity
1. BIODIVERSITY
Limiting dependent or 10. rises
2. POPULATION
3. CARRYING Factor/s Density-
CAPACITY independent Assessment
4. LIMITING FACTOR limiting
factor 1. A
5. POPULATION
food Density- 2. B
DENSITY
dependent 3. A
disease- Density- 4. B
causing independent 5. A
What’s More 6. B
bacteria and
viruses 7. A
Activity 1:
storm surge Density- 8. D
1. B independent 9. A
2. D forest fire Density- 10. A
3. D independent
4. A space Density-
5. D dependent
Activity 2:
C A
D B
F E
G
H
Activity 3:
1. POPULATION
2. POPULATION
3. POPULATION
4. POPULATION
5. GROWTH
Answer Key
References

Books
Alvarez, Liza.A., et al. Science Grade 9 Learner’s Module. Philippines. Studio
Graphics Corp. 2017
Acosta, Herma D., et al. Science Grade 10 Learner’s Module. Philippines. REX Book
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national-models-for-ncr-and-other-selected-areas-2/
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Max Gibbs. Getty Image. Basic Types of Aquarium Filtration System by Shirlie
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1378506
Miranda Dudzik. “Growth Rates and Regulation”. Environmental Limits to
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Topbest. Household Predators: 3 Natural Pest Control Creatures in our Homes.
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3-natural-pest-control-creatures-homes/
Wikipedia, Human Population Planning. Accessed. December 18,2020.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_population_planning
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