Population Growth

Front

What are limiting factors in population growth?

Back

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population. They can be biotic (like food and predators) or abiotic (like water and climate).

Front

True or False: Limiting factors can help prevent a population from becoming too large.

Back

True

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the largest number of individuals of a population that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat.

Front

What is a density-independent limiting factor?

Back

A density-independent limiting factor is a factor that affects population size regardless of the population's density, such as natural disasters.

Front

Give an example of a density-dependent limiting factor.

Back

An example of a density-dependent limiting factor is food availability, which becomes more limiting as population density increases.

Front

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem (like plants and animals), while abiotic factors are non-living components (like water, sunlight, and temperature).

Front

Define the term 'population'.

Back

A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in a specific area and interact with one another.

Front

What is the significance of the logistic growth model?

Back

The logistic growth model describes how a population grows rapidly at first and then levels off as it approaches the carrying capacity of its environment.

Front

What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

Back

When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion, increased competition, and ultimately a decline in population size.

Front

What role do predators play in population dynamics?

Back

Predators can regulate prey populations, helping to maintain balance in ecosystems and prevent overpopulation.