L.17.5 Mastery Check

When an environment has reached its carrying capacity for a certain population, which of the following is true?

• Growth and immigration rate is equal to death and emigration rate.

• Growth and immigration rate is greater than death and emigration rate.

• Growth and immigration rate is less than death and emigration rate.

• Growth rate is exponential.

Answer explanation

When an environment reaches its carrying capacity, the population stabilizes. This means the growth and immigration rates equal the death and emigration rates, preventing further population increase.

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A population of deer on an island was tracked over 12 months. The data are shown in the table below. Which event most likely occurred between month 1 and month 5?

• The rate of emigration increased each month during this period.

• The availability of resources decreased each month during this period.

• The birth rate exceeded the death rate during this period.

• The population exceeded carrying capacity during this period.

Answer explanation

The population likely increased between month 1 and month 5, indicating that the birth rate exceeded the death rate. This suggests a healthy reproductive rate, contributing to population growth during this period.

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Using the same data table from the previous question, what is the approximate carrying capacity for the deer population on this island?

• 10 deer

• 55 deer

• 80 deer

• 95 deer

Answer explanation

The carrying capacity is the maximum population size that the environment can sustain. Based on the data, 80 deer is the approximate carrying capacity, as it aligns with the resources available on the island.

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Recent heavy rainstorms have caused the sediment in a Central Florida lake to become suspended in the water. The suspended sediment particles reduce the amount of light that can reach the bottom of the lake. Which of the following is the most likely result of sediment suspension in this lake?

• There will be an increase in the fish population in the lake.

• There will be an increase in salinity levels throughout the lake.

• There will be a decrease in temperature at the surface of the lake.

• There will be a decrease in plant growth at the bottom of the lake.

Answer explanation

The suspended sediment reduces light penetration, which is essential for photosynthesis. This leads to a decrease in plant growth at the bottom of the lake, as aquatic plants rely on light to thrive.

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Mullet are estuarine fish found in Tampa Bay that move in schools and feed on plankton and plant matter. Natural predators of the mullet include spotted sea trout, sharks, pelicans, and dolphins. Scientists collected the following population data over five years. One scientist concludes that a new predator was introduced into the area during this time period. A second scientist argues that the decline could also be explained by a decrease in available food resources. Which of the following best supports the second scientist's explanation?

• The mullet's natural prey increased in the area during this time period.

• The number of mullet parasites decreased in the area during this time period.

• The water temperature of the estuary increased during this time period.

• The amount of aquatic plants in the area decreased during this time period.

Answer explanation

The decrease in aquatic plants directly impacts the food resources available for mullet, supporting the second scientist's argument that the decline in mullet population could be due to reduced food rather than a new predator.

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