Exploring Population Ecology Concepts

Dr. Markham's lesson on population ecology covers the dynamic nature of populations and their interactions with biological and physical factors. Key interactions include predator-prey, competition, and symbiosis, with examples provided for each. The lesson also explores how abiotic factors like temperature and rainfall impact populations.

What does the term 'dynamic' mean in the context of populations?

• Changing

• Increasing

• Decreasing

• Static

Which of the following is an example of a predator-prey relationship?

• Bees pollinating flowers

• Leopards hunting deer

• Rabbits competing for food

• Barnacles on a whale

What is a benefit of predator-prey interactions for the prey population?

• Increased population size

• No natural selection

• More food resources

• Avoiding overpopulation

What is competition in the context of population ecology?

• One species feeding on another

• Two or more species competing for the same resources

• Two species benefiting from each other

• One species harming another

Which of the following is an example of an invasive species outcompeting a native species?

• Bees pollinating flowers

• Barnacles on a whale

• Kudzu growing in the southern United States

• Birds nesting in trees

What type of symbiotic relationship benefits both species involved?

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Predation

Which of the following is an example of parasitism?

• Barnacles on a whale

• Bees pollinating flowers

• Birds nesting in trees

• A tapeworm inside a dog

What is commensalism?

• Both species benefit

• One species benefits, the other is harmed

• One species benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed

• Both species are harmed

Which of the following is an example of commensalism?

• A tick on a dog

• A mosquito biting a human

• A leech on a fish

• A bird nest in a tree

Which of the following is an abiotic factor that can impact populations?

• Predation

• Competition

• Flooding

• Mutualism