Exploring Limiting Factors in Science

The video discusses limiting factors in population ecology, focusing on how they prevent populations from growing exponentially. It explains the difference between exponential and logistic growth, highlighting the role of density dependent factors like competition, disease, and predation, as well as density independent factors such as natural disasters and pollution. The video also compares two populations to illustrate these concepts.

What is a limiting factor in population ecology?

• A factor that decreases the death rate of a population

• A factor that increases the birth rate of a population

• A factor that prevents a population from growing exponentially

• A factor that allows a population to grow indefinitely

Which of the following is an example of a limiting factor?

• Unlimited food supply

• Abundant shelter

• Competition for resources

• Lack of predators

How does disease act as a limiting factor in a population?

• It reduces competition for food

• It spreads more easily in dense populations

• It increases the availability of resources

• It decreases the birth rate

Why does limited space affect population growth?

• It forces animals to compete for shelter

• It provides more resources

• It increases the birth rate

• It reduces the spread of disease

What happens to a population as it approaches carrying capacity?

• It faces no competition

• It experiences unlimited growth

• Its growth rate slows down

• Its growth rate increases

In exponential growth, how does the population grow?

• It grows slowly over time

• It grows at a constant rate

• It grows faster as the population gets larger

• It stops growing after a certain point

Which population is more likely to experience intense competition for food?

• A population with low density

• A population with no predators

• A population with high density

• A population with unlimited resources

What is a density-independent limiting factor?

• A factor that affects only large populations

• A factor that increases competition

• A factor that affects populations regardless of their density

• A factor that spreads disease

Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent limiting factor?

• Natural disasters

• Pollution

• Predation

• Climate change

How do natural disasters affect population size?

• They increase the birth rate

• They affect populations regardless of density

• They only affect small populations

• They only affect dense populations