Biology 5.2 Factors Affecting Population Growth

Front

What are density dependent limiting factors?

Back

Factors that affect population growth more strongly as the population density increases, such as predation, disease, and competition.

Front

What are density independent limiting factors?

Back

Factors that affect population growth regardless of population density, such as natural disasters, climate, and human activities.

Front

Define carrying capacity.

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

What is the relationship between population size and death rate when exceeding carrying capacity?

Back

When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, the death rate may rise due to resource depletion.

Front

Give an example of a density dependent limiting factor.

Back

Predation, where the number of predators increases as the prey population increases.

Front

Give an example of a density independent limiting factor.

Back

A hurricane that destroys habitat regardless of the population size.

Front

What is the effect of disease on population growth?

Back

Disease can reduce population size, especially in dense populations, making it a density dependent limiting factor.

Front

How does competition affect population growth?

Back

Increased competition for resources can limit population growth as individuals struggle to survive and reproduce.

Front

What is symbiosis?

Back

A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species, which can affect population dynamics.

Front

What happens to birth rates when a population is above carrying capacity?

Back

Birth rates may decline as resources become scarce.