Population Dynamics Quiz

Which of the following factors is CORRECTLY matched to its effect on a population?

• Immigration decreases a population

• Births decrease a population

• Deaths decrease a population

• Immigration increases a population

Consider a food web in which owls eat mice. If all the mice were to die from disease, what would happen to the population of owls?

• It would increase.

• It would decrease.

• It would remain the same.

• It would fluctuate.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following describes the type of population growth graphed below?

• Exponential Growth

• Logistic Growth

• Linear Growth

• Cyclical Growth

Which of the following describes the type of population growth graphed below?

• Exponential Growth

• Logistic Growth

• Linear Growth

• Cyclical Growth

A scientist is studying a population of sharks in the Pacific Ocean. The scientist reports that compared to a few years ago, the sharks are spending less time in equatorial waters and more time in waters near California and Alaska. Which statement describes the type of change that is occurring to the shark population?

• Their geographic range is changing.

• Their population density is changing.

• Their population distribution is changing.

• Their carrying capacity is changing.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following statements describes density-independent limiting factors?

• Competition is an example.

• Parasitism and disease are examples.

• Environmental extremes, such as a hurricane or drought, are examples.

• Their effects increase as the population increases in an area.

For each missing word or phrase, circle the choice that correctly completes the sentence. A scientist is developing a computer model to determine the maximum population size, or (carrying capacity / limiting factors), of eagles and other birds of prey in a forest ecosystem.

• Carrying capacity

• Limiting factors

• Population density

• Growth rate

The model should represent all of the (carrying capacity / limiting factors) that affect the populations.

• Carrying capacity

• Limiting factors

• Population density

• Growth rate

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A population of mountain lions lives in an alpine forest. The mountain lions hunt deer, rabbits, and other prey. As the population increases, which of these events becomes more likely to occur?

• Female mountain lions raise an increasing number of pups per litter, and a greater percentage of pups survive to adulthood.

• Competition for territory and other resources acts to slow the growth rate of the population.

• A wildfire, drought, or other natural disaster acts to decrease the mountain lion population by at least 50 percent.

• The mountain lions migrate to a new area with more resources.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which statement provides the strongest explanation for the trends in the two populations?

• The populations of predators and prey are limited by abiotic factors only.

• Predation acts a density-dependent limiting factor on prey, but not on predators.

• Predator-prey relationships act as density-dependent limiting factors on both predators and prey.

• The populations are not affected by any limiting factors.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4