Populations Ecology Practice

Front

What is a density-independent limiting factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size regardless of the population's density, such as natural disasters or climate changes.

Front

What is a density-dependent limiting factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size based on the population's density, such as competition for resources, predation, and disease.

Front

Define carrying capacity.

Back

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

Front

What does a logistic growth curve represent?

Back

A growth pattern where a population's growth rate decreases as it approaches its carrying capacity.

Front

What does an exponential growth curve indicate?

Back

A growth pattern where a population grows rapidly without any limiting factors, leading to a J-shaped curve.

Front

What is a predator-prey cycle?

Back

A cyclical pattern of population dynamics where the population of predators and prey influence each other's sizes.

Front

What is a boom-bust cycle?

Back

A pattern of population growth characterized by rapid increases (boom) followed by sharp declines (bust).

Front

What is the significance of point D on a population graph?

Back

Point D typically represents the carrying capacity of the population.

Front

How do environmental factors influence population growth?

Back

Environmental factors can limit or enhance population growth through resources availability, habitat space, and predation.

Front

What is the difference between logistic and exponential growth?

Back

Logistic growth includes limiting factors and stabilizes at carrying capacity, while exponential growth occurs without limits.