Analyzing Graphs in Science Ecology

Review and introduction to graphs

Multiple Choice

A system including all the biotic and abiotic factors in an area and all the interactions among them

• Ecosystem

• Community

• Population

Reorder

Reorder the following from the smallest to the largest

• Individual

• Population

• Community

• Ecosystem

• Biome

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

Which type of organism makes its own food

• autotropph

• heterotroph

Three main Types of Population Dispersion

Multiple Choice

what is the type of population dispersion (distribution) is shown on the diagram?

• Clumped

• Random

• Uniform

Multiple Choice

Elephants show this type of population dispersion

• clumped

• Uniform

• Random

Multiple Choice

Individuals are arbitrarily throughout a given area

• uniform dispersion

• random dispersion

• population density

• population dispersion

Population Growth Rate

​The population size is measured by counting the number of individuals.

Usually, the population is studied over a period of time. Scientists will study the trends and try to predict the population evolution.

Types of graphs

Exponential Growth graphs

• Have a "J shaped" curve

• Populations are growing

Logistic graphs

• Have a "S shaped" curve

• Populations increase and then flatten out

Fluctuating graphs

• Have a "S shaped" curve

• Populations increase and decrease depending on biotic and abiotic factors

Multiple Choice

What growth pattern chart is used to show exponential growth?

• J-shaped curve

• S-shaped curve

• Carrying capacity

• Limiting factors

Predator- Prey Relationships maintain healthy populations of both predator and prey

Multiple Choice

What type of population growth curve is shown in this graph?

• Exponential

• Logistic

• Boom and Bust

• Predator-Prey

Multiple Choice

What type of population growth curve is shown in this graph?

• Exponential

• Logistic

• Boom and Bust

• Predator-Prey

Carrying capacity

How Many Can Be Supported?

• ​Our classroom can only hold so many students.

• ​Restaurants & movie theaters have only so many chairs.

• ​Ecosystems can only support a certain number of each population

• ​Resources: biotic & abiotic factors that are necessary for the survival of a species

Multiple Choice

The largest number of individuals that an environment can support long term is...

• carrying capacity

• ecosystem

• population size

• population density

Multiple Choice

Which choice would cause a population to increase

• increase of food supply

• removal of predators

• removal of disease

• all of these

Multiple Choice

According to the graph, what is the carrying capacity of deer for that ecosystem?

• 3

• 7

• 70

• 40

Multiple Choice

What is the carrying capacity for species 5 in this ecosystem?

• 500

• 1000

• 2000

Multiple Choice

Something that regulates the size of a population is called...

• a limiting measure

• a limiting factor

• carrying capacity

• biodiversity

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of a limiting factor.  Suggest you hit the back button to review the definition of limiting factor!

• Climate

• Available Food & Water

• Available Space & Shelter

• Size of animal paw

Multiple Choice

After a 75 year absence, the grey wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone national park in 1994. The deer population had grown very large during the wolf’s absence. How do you think that the reintroduction of the wolf affected the deer population’s carrying capacity?

• The deer population carrying capacity increased due to more energy available in the ecosystem

• The deer population carrying capacity decreased due to the introduction of a new limiting factor introduced into the ecosystem

• The deer population remained the same

​Note:

​

​In an experiment, the cause is the independent variable (what you change on purpose).

​

​The effect is the dependent variable, what you measure!

Multiple Choice

Because I helped my father, he took me to the movies.

What is the cause?

• I helped my father

• My father took me to the movies.

Multiple Choice

I ate all my lunch because I was hungry. What is the cause?

• I ate all my lunch

• I was hungry

Multiple Choice

Alex got an A on his Spanish test because he studied hard over the weekend. What is the cause?

• Alex got an A on his Spanish test

• Alex studied hard over the weekend.

Multiple Choice

Because my dog ran away, now he has to stay on his leash when we walk.

What is the effect?

• My dog ran away

• My dog has to stay on his leash when we walk.