Question

If given adequate resources, populations can grow at rapid rates. For example, one female mouse can produce a litter of four to fourteen babies every three to four weeks throughout her life. This population growth would most likely be limited by
A.
fair weather and a consistent climate.
B.
a disease which infects the baby mice shortly after birth.
C.
an increase in the size of the mice's living space.
D.
a decrease in the local owl population.

Answer 1

B. a disease which infects the baby mice shortly after birth.

Explanation: Disease increases mortality and is a density-dependent limiting factor that would reduce population growth. The other choices (good weather, more space, fewer predators) would tend to allow or increase growth, not limit it.