Unit 1 Test Study Guide

Front

What is the primary purpose of studying dispersion patterns in a population?

Back

To understand how individuals are spatially distributed.

Front

What happens to the coyote population when the squirrel population decreases due to disease?

Back

The coyote population is expected to decrease as well, due to a lack of food.

Front

What does a rapid increase in the prey population indicate in a predator-prey relationship?

Back

It indicates that the conditions are favorable for the prey, possibly due to a decrease in predator numbers.

Front

What type of graph represents exponential growth?

Back

A graph showing a steep upward curve, indicating rapid increase over time.

Front

What is the expected outcome if the fox population decreases in a food web?

Back

The insect population will likely increase due to reduced predation.

Front

Define 'carrying capacity' in an ecosystem.

Back

The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

Front

Explain the term 'predator-prey dynamics.'

Back

The interactions between predator and prey populations that affect their population sizes and growth rates.

Front

What is the significance of a population's growth rate?

Back

It indicates how quickly a population is increasing or decreasing over time.

Front

What does a stable population size indicate?

Back

It suggests that the birth and death rates are balanced.