Search for question
Question

5.5 Mathematical models are used to predict the

growth of a population, that is, population size at some

future date. The simplest model is that for exponential

growth. The calculation requires knowledge of the

organism's maximum specific growth rate. A value

for this coefficient can be obtained from field observa-

tions of population size or from laboratory experiments

where population size is monitored as a function of

time when growing at high substrate concentrations

(S » K₂) (Table 5.16):

Table / 5.16

Field Observations of Population Size

Over Time

Time (days)

0

1

2

3

ندا

4

5

Сл

Biomass (mg/L)

50

136

369

1,004

2,730

7,421

Calculate max for this population, assuming expo-

nential growth; include appropriate units.

Fig: 1