Population Ecology Part 1 and Ecology Intro PRACTICE quiz 2025

A group of emperor penguins living together on a particular beach is an example of...

• ecosystem

• community

• species

• population

Answer explanation

A group of emperor penguins on a beach represents a population, as it consists of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. An ecosystem includes multiple species, while a community refers to different species interacting.

What factor describes when populations increase because animals are moving INTO a population?

• Emigration

• Limiting Factors

• Immigration

• Exponential Growth

Answer explanation

The factor that describes when populations increase due to animals moving INTO a population is called Immigration. This process adds individuals to a population, contrasting with Emigration, which involves individuals leaving.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What does abiotic mean?

• living

• never alive

• dead

• one biotic

Answer explanation

The term 'abiotic' refers to non-living components of the environment. Therefore, the correct answer is 'never alive', as it describes elements like water, air, and minerals that do not possess life.

The average number of people per square mile is an example of a

• Birth rate

• Land area

• population density

• population size

Answer explanation

The average number of people per square mile measures how crowded an area is, which is defined as population density. This term specifically refers to the number of individuals living in a given land area.

What is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosytem?

• bird

• water

• oak tree

• sunflower

Answer explanation

An abiotic factor is a non-living component of an ecosystem. Water is essential for life and influences the environment, making it an abiotic factor. In contrast, birds, oak trees, and sunflowers are all biotic factors.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is population?

• a community of organisms and their nonliving environment

• two or more organisms depend of the same limited resource

• a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same place

• a nonliving part of an enviroment

Answer explanation

Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same place, distinguishing it from other concepts like communities or nonliving environments.

Dividing the population size by the area gives you what value?

• population distribution

• population carrying capacity

• population density

• microscope field of view

Answer explanation

Dividing the population size by the area calculates the number of individuals per unit area, which is defined as population density. This metric helps understand how crowded an area is.

What are the three types of distribution patterns?

• uniform, clumped, random

• uniform, uneven, random

• uneven, clumped, random

• uniform, clumped, uneven

Answer explanation

The three types of distribution patterns are uniform, clumped, and random. Uniform distribution occurs when individuals are evenly spaced, clumped distribution occurs in groups, and random distribution has no specific pattern.

This is the most commonly seen population distribution ("dispersion") pattern. This pattern can be caused because needed resources are unequally spread across their habitat.

Example: wolves live in packs.

What is this pattern called?

• Random

• Uniform

• Clumped

• Uneven

Answer explanation

The pattern described is called 'Clumped' because it occurs when resources are unevenly distributed, leading to groups, like wolves living in packs, clustering in areas where resources are available.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A population of 100 bears experience the following changes in a year:

20 births, 15 deaths, 10 emigrants, and 2 immigrants.

What is the new bear population?

• 97

• -3

• +3

• 103

Answer explanation

To find the new bear population, start with 100 bears. Add 20 births and 2 immigrants, then subtract 15 deaths and 10 emigrants: 100 + 20 + 2 - 15 - 10 = 97. Thus, the new bear population is 97.