Biotic potential vs carrying capacity – UGC NET Question

Biotic potential is the theoretical maximum rate of increase a population could achieve if resources were unlimited and conditions perfect. Carrying capacity is the upper limit of population size that the environment can support over time without serious degradation. Real populations grow more slowly as they approach this limit.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because biotic potential is not the realised growth rate; it is a hypothetical maximum. Carrying capacity refers to population size, not a growth rate.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it clearly separates maximum reproductive capacity (biotic potential) from maximum sustainable population size (carrying capacity).

Option C:
Option C is incorrect; these terms do not mean simple counts of deaths or births per year but broader ecological concepts about growth and limits.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because both concepts apply to all organisms, including plants, animals and microorganisms.