Predict Population Changes - Middle School Life Science
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What is a population boom?
What is a population boom?
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A rapid increase in population size due to favorable conditions. Occurs when resources are abundant and threats are minimal.
A rapid increase in population size due to favorable conditions. Occurs when resources are abundant and threats are minimal.
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What is the most likely effect on prey when predator numbers decrease strongly?
What is the most likely effect on prey when predator numbers decrease strongly?
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Prey population tends to increase. Fewer predators mean more prey survive to reproduce.
Prey population tends to increase. Fewer predators mean more prey survive to reproduce.
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What is the most likely effect on predators when prey becomes less available?
What is the most likely effect on predators when prey becomes less available?
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Predator population tends to decrease after a time lag. Predators starve when they can't find enough prey.
Predator population tends to decrease after a time lag. Predators starve when they can't find enough prey.
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What is the most likely effect of increased sunlight on plant populations, assuming water is sufficient?
What is the most likely effect of increased sunlight on plant populations, assuming water is sufficient?
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Plant population tends to increase due to higher photosynthesis. More light energy allows plants to produce more food.
Plant population tends to increase due to higher photosynthesis. More light energy allows plants to produce more food.
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What is the most likely population response when a new competitor uses the same food source?
What is the most likely population response when a new competitor uses the same food source?
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The original population tends to decrease. Competition divides resources among more organisms.
The original population tends to decrease. Competition divides resources among more organisms.
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What is the most likely effect of increased habitat space on a territorial animal population?
What is the most likely effect of increased habitat space on a territorial animal population?
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Population can increase because more territories are available. More space reduces competition for breeding sites.
Population can increase because more territories are available. More space reduces competition for breeding sites.
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What is the most likely effect of adding fertilizer to a nutrient-poor pond on algae?
What is the most likely effect of adding fertilizer to a nutrient-poor pond on algae?
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Algae population increases rapidly. Nutrients fuel algae growth and reproduction.
Algae population increases rapidly. Nutrients fuel algae growth and reproduction.
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Which option best describes what happens when a population exceeds carrying capacity?
Which option best describes what happens when a population exceeds carrying capacity?
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Resources run short and the population declines. Environment can't sustain numbers above its limit.
Resources run short and the population declines. Environment can't sustain numbers above its limit.
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What is the most likely population response when shelter sites become limited?
What is the most likely population response when shelter sites become limited?
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Population growth slows or declines due to increased competition. Limited shelter forces individuals to compete or leave.
Population growth slows or declines due to increased competition. Limited shelter forces individuals to compete or leave.
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What is the most likely effect on fish when algae blooms reduce dissolved oxygen in water?
What is the most likely effect on fish when algae blooms reduce dissolved oxygen in water?
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Fish population decreases due to low oxygen. Decomposing algae consume oxygen fish need to breathe.
Fish population decreases due to low oxygen. Decomposing algae consume oxygen fish need to breathe.
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What is a population crash?
What is a population crash?
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A rapid decrease in population size due to resource shortage or stress. Often follows a boom when resources are depleted.
A rapid decrease in population size due to resource shortage or stress. Often follows a boom when resources are depleted.
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What is carrying capacity?
What is carrying capacity?
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The largest population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
The largest population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.
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Which population change is most likely when food availability increases for a herbivore?
Which population change is most likely when food availability increases for a herbivore?
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Population size tends to increase. More food supports more individuals through better survival and reproduction.
Population size tends to increase. More food supports more individuals through better survival and reproduction.
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What typically happens to death rate when resources become scarce?
What typically happens to death rate when resources become scarce?
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Death rate increases. Starvation, disease, and stress become more common.
Death rate increases. Starvation, disease, and stress become more common.
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What typically happens to birth rate when resources become scarce?
What typically happens to birth rate when resources become scarce?
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Birth rate decreases. Limited resources reduce energy available for reproduction.
Birth rate decreases. Limited resources reduce energy available for reproduction.
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Identify the density-independent factor: disease outbreak, competition, or drought.
Identify the density-independent factor: disease outbreak, competition, or drought.
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Drought. Affects populations regardless of their density.
Drought. Affects populations regardless of their density.
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Identify the density-dependent factor: shortage of food, wildfire, or hurricane.
Identify the density-dependent factor: shortage of food, wildfire, or hurricane.
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Shortage of food. Its impact increases as population density rises.
Shortage of food. Its impact increases as population density rises.
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What is resource competition?
What is resource competition?
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Organisms using the same limited resource, reducing access for others. Creates winners and losers in the struggle for survival.
Organisms using the same limited resource, reducing access for others. Creates winners and losers in the struggle for survival.
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Which population change is most likely when water availability decreases during a drought?
Which population change is most likely when water availability decreases during a drought?
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Population size tends to decrease. Water scarcity causes death and reduced reproduction.
Population size tends to decrease. Water scarcity causes death and reduced reproduction.
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Identify the most likely effect on predator population if prey population declines due to less food.
Identify the most likely effect on predator population if prey population declines due to less food.
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Predator population decreases after prey declines. Less prey means less food for predators to survive.
Predator population decreases after prey declines. Less prey means less food for predators to survive.
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Which outcome is most likely if two species rely on the same limited food source?
Which outcome is most likely if two species rely on the same limited food source?
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Increased competition leading to reduced growth of one or both. Both species struggle when sharing limited resources.
Increased competition leading to reduced growth of one or both. Both species struggle when sharing limited resources.
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What is the direct relationship between resource scarcity and death rate in many populations?
What is the direct relationship between resource scarcity and death rate in many populations?
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Scarcity usually increases death rate. Starvation and weakness increase mortality rates.
Scarcity usually increases death rate. Starvation and weakness increase mortality rates.
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What is the direct relationship between resource availability and birth rate in many populations?
What is the direct relationship between resource availability and birth rate in many populations?
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More resources usually increase birth rate. Well-fed organisms reproduce more successfully.
More resources usually increase birth rate. Well-fed organisms reproduce more successfully.
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Identify the immediate effect of increased sunlight on plant populations in most ecosystems.
Identify the immediate effect of increased sunlight on plant populations in most ecosystems.
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Plant population tends to increase. More light energy allows more photosynthesis and growth.
Plant population tends to increase. More light energy allows more photosynthesis and growth.
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What is carrying capacity in terms of resources and population size?
What is carrying capacity in terms of resources and population size?
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The maximum population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources like food, water, and space.
The maximum population an environment can support long term. Determined by available resources like food, water, and space.
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