AP Biology: Ecology Populations

What is an example of a density-independent limiting factor?

• Natural disasters such as floods or fires that affect population size regardless of density.

• Competition for resources among individuals in a population.

• Predation by a specific species on another species.

• Disease outbreaks that spread rapidly through a population.

What is a density-dependent limiting factor?

• A factor that limits population growth based on the density of the population, such as competition for resources, predation, and disease.

• A factor that affects population growth regardless of the population density, such as natural disasters.

• A factor that increases population growth as density increases, such as availability of food.

• A factor that only affects small populations, such as genetic drift.

What is the concept of ecological succession?

• The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance.

• A method of classifying different species in an ecosystem.

• The study of how organisms interact with their environment.

• A technique for restoring damaged ecosystems.

What type of growth is characterized by a population reaching its carrying capacity?

• Exponential growth

• Logistic growth

• Linear growth

• Cyclical growth

What is the difference between logistic and exponential growth?

• Logistic growth occurs without limits, while exponential growth includes environmental constraints.

• Logistic growth includes environmental constraints and reaches a carrying capacity, while exponential growth occurs without limits.

• Both logistic and exponential growth are the same and do not consider environmental factors.

• Exponential growth is slower than logistic growth.

What is interspecific competition?

• Competition between individuals of the same species for resources.

• Competition between different species for the same resources in an ecosystem.

• Competition that occurs only in aquatic ecosystems.

• Competition that does not affect the population dynamics of species.

What happens when two species occupy the same niche?

• One species will either alter their niche or be eliminated.

• Both species will thrive equally without competition.

• They will form a symbiotic relationship and coexist peacefully.

• One species will dominate and the other will adapt to a different niche.

What is a symbiotic relationship?

• A close interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.

• A competition between two species for the same resources.

• A relationship where one species benefits while the other is harmed.

• A random interaction between two unrelated species.

How does habitat fragmentation affect biodiversity?

• It increases biodiversity by creating new habitats.

• It has no effect on biodiversity.

• It can lead to decreased biodiversity by isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.

• It only affects large mammals and not other species.

What is carrying capacity?

• The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely without being degraded.

• The total number of species that can coexist in an ecosystem.

• The number of individuals that can be supported by a specific area of land.

• The rate at which a population grows in a given time period.