Population Ecology - AP Biology
Card 1 of 30
Define carrying capacity (K) in logistic growth.
Define carrying capacity (K) in logistic growth.
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The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
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Identify an effect of high population density on individuals.
Identify an effect of high population density on individuals.
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Increased competition for resources. Dense populations experience greater resource scarcity and stress.
Increased competition for resources. Dense populations experience greater resource scarcity and stress.
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Which type of selection favors average individuals in a population?
Which type of selection favors average individuals in a population?
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Stabilizing selection. Reduces variation by favoring intermediate phenotypes.
Stabilizing selection. Reduces variation by favoring intermediate phenotypes.
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What is the term for the birth rate minus the death rate?
What is the term for the birth rate minus the death rate?
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Natural increase rate. Indicates whether population is growing or declining naturally.
Natural increase rate. Indicates whether population is growing or declining naturally.
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Identify a density-independent factor affecting population size.
Identify a density-independent factor affecting population size.
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Natural disasters. Affects populations regardless of their density or size.
Natural disasters. Affects populations regardless of their density or size.
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What is the term for a population decline to near extinction?
What is the term for a population decline to near extinction?
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Population bottleneck. Severely reduces genetic diversity and population size.
Population bottleneck. Severely reduces genetic diversity and population size.
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What is the definition of a metapopulation?
What is the definition of a metapopulation?
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A group of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal. Allows recolonization if local populations go extinct.
A group of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal. Allows recolonization if local populations go extinct.
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Define biotic potential.
Define biotic potential.
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The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal conditions. Theoretical maximum when environmental resistance is absent.
The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal conditions. Theoretical maximum when environmental resistance is absent.
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Define the term 'emigration.'
Define the term 'emigration.'
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The movement of individuals out of a population. Reduces population size and may decrease genetic diversity.
The movement of individuals out of a population. Reduces population size and may decrease genetic diversity.
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Which type of growth results in an S-shaped curve?
Which type of growth results in an S-shaped curve?
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Logistic growth. Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity.
Logistic growth. Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity.
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What is the definition of population density?
What is the definition of population density?
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Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume. Measures how crowded individuals are in a given space.
Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume. Measures how crowded individuals are in a given space.
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Define carrying capacity (K) in logistic growth.
Define carrying capacity (K) in logistic growth.
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The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
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Define K-selected species.
Define K-selected species.
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Species that produce fewer offspring with high survival rates. High parental investment with greater offspring survival.
Species that produce fewer offspring with high survival rates. High parental investment with greater offspring survival.
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Identify a factor that can cause a population bottleneck.
Identify a factor that can cause a population bottleneck.
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Environmental disasters. Sudden events that drastically reduce population size.
Environmental disasters. Sudden events that drastically reduce population size.
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State the formula for calculating population density.
State the formula for calculating population density.
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Population density = $\frac{N}{A}$, where N is number of individuals and A is area. Basic formula dividing total individuals by total area.
Population density = $\frac{N}{A}$, where N is number of individuals and A is area. Basic formula dividing total individuals by total area.
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Define the term 'emigration.'
Define the term 'emigration.'
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The movement of individuals out of a population. Reduces population size and may decrease genetic diversity.
The movement of individuals out of a population. Reduces population size and may decrease genetic diversity.
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What is the term for a population decline to near extinction?
What is the term for a population decline to near extinction?
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Population bottleneck. Severely reduces genetic diversity and population size.
Population bottleneck. Severely reduces genetic diversity and population size.
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Define K-selected species.
Define K-selected species.
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Species that produce fewer offspring with high survival rates. High parental investment with greater offspring survival.
Species that produce fewer offspring with high survival rates. High parental investment with greater offspring survival.
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What is the definition of population density?
What is the definition of population density?
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Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume. Measures how crowded individuals are in a given space.
Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume. Measures how crowded individuals are in a given space.
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Which type of growth results in an S-shaped curve?
Which type of growth results in an S-shaped curve?
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Logistic growth. Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity.
Logistic growth. Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity.
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Define the term 'gene flow.'
Define the term 'gene flow.'
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The transfer of genetic material between populations. Movement of alleles between populations maintains genetic diversity.
The transfer of genetic material between populations. Movement of alleles between populations maintains genetic diversity.
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Which term describes the role of a species in its ecosystem?
Which term describes the role of a species in its ecosystem?
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Ecological niche. Includes habitat requirements, feeding behavior, and interactions.
Ecological niche. Includes habitat requirements, feeding behavior, and interactions.
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What does a population pyramid represent?
What does a population pyramid represent?
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The age and sex distribution of a population. Shows population growth trends and demographic patterns.
The age and sex distribution of a population. Shows population growth trends and demographic patterns.
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What is an example of a keystone species?
What is an example of a keystone species?
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Sea otters. Disproportionately large impact on ecosystem structure and function.
Sea otters. Disproportionately large impact on ecosystem structure and function.
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Identify a factor that can cause a population bottleneck.
Identify a factor that can cause a population bottleneck.
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Environmental disasters. Sudden events that drastically reduce population size.
Environmental disasters. Sudden events that drastically reduce population size.
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What is the formula for exponential growth of a population?
What is the formula for exponential growth of a population?
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N_t = N_0 e^{rt}, where N_t is future population size. Shows compound growth over time with intrinsic growth rate $r$.
N_t = N_0 e^{rt}, where N_t is future population size. Shows compound growth over time with intrinsic growth rate $r$.
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Define biotic potential.
Define biotic potential.
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The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal conditions. Theoretical maximum when environmental resistance is absent.
The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal conditions. Theoretical maximum when environmental resistance is absent.
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What is the definition of a metapopulation?
What is the definition of a metapopulation?
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A group of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal. Allows recolonization if local populations go extinct.
A group of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal. Allows recolonization if local populations go extinct.
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Which type of competition is between different species?
Which type of competition is between different species?
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Interspecific competition. Competition between different species for similar resources.
Interspecific competition. Competition between different species for similar resources.
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Identify a characteristic of a Type III survivorship curve.
Identify a characteristic of a Type III survivorship curve.
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High mortality rate early in life. Many offspring die young due to high predation or environmental stress.
High mortality rate early in life. Many offspring die young due to high predation or environmental stress.
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