Question
Growth curve of tumours shown in the photograph below is known as ?
A. Exponential growth curve.
B. Gompertz curve.
C. Universal curve.
D. Aldronian curve.
Show Answer
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Correct Answer » B
Explanation
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Growth curve of tumours shown in the photograph above represents Gompertz curve.
A Gompertz curve or Gompertz function, named after Benjamin Gompertz, is a sigmoid function. It is a type of mathematical model for a time series, where growth s slowest at the start and end of a time period. The right-hand or future value asymptote of the function is approached much more gradually by the curve than the left-hand or lower valued asymptote, in contrast to the simple logistic function in which both asymptotes are approached by the curve symmetrically. It is a special case of the generalised logistic function.
In the 1960s A.K. Laird for the first time successfully used the Gompertz curve to fit data of growth of tumors. In fact, tumors are cellular populations growing in a confined space where the availability of nutrients is limited. Denoting the tumor size as X(t) it is useful to write the Gompertz Curve as follows:
