What defines the exponential growth model?

The exponential growth model is defined by growth that occurs when the intrinsic growth rate is applied to the number of individuals currently reproducing. This model describes a situation where resources are abundant, allowing for continuous and unrestricted population growth. In this model, the population size increases rapidly over time, as each generation contributes to the population's growth at an increasing rate.

This contrasts with the other options: stabilizing growth is characteristic of logistic models, seasonal cycles pertain to populations that exhibit periodic fluctuations due to environmental conditions, and decline over time does not align with the concept of exponential growth, which inherently implies increase rather than decrease. Thus, the defining feature of the exponential growth model is precisely this reliance on the intrinsic growth rate and the current reproductive population contributing to rapid increases in numbers.