Populations & Resources Midterm Review

Front

What is the primary definition of a population in an ecosystem?

Back

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area

Front

What method is commonly used to estimate population size in a large area?

Back

Mark-recapture technique

Front

What are the characteristics of exponential population growth?

Back

Rapid increase without limiting factors

• J-shaped curve

• Unrestricted growth

• No environmental limitations

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum population size an environment can support

Front

What are the main factors that affect carrying capacity?

Back

• Available food

• Water supply

• Space availability

Front

What type of relationship exists when two species compete for the same resource?

Back

Competition - when two or more species struggle for the same limited resource

Front

In a predator-prey relationship, what happens when prey population increases?

Back

The predator population eventually increases in response to more available food

Front

What is intraspecific competition?

Back

Competition within the same species (members of the same species competing for resources)

Front

What is an example of mutualism?

Back

any dynamic in which both species benefit from the relationship

Front

What is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

Back

A resource that controls population growth