2. Variation within Populations Flashcards
1
Q
what are the main factors for changes of population sizes?
A
- biotic and abiotic factors
2
Q
list abiotic factors that can affect a population size
A
- chemical composition
- temperature
- water
- light
- space
3
Q
what do abiotic factors provide?
A
a steady environment for species to grow in
4
Q
define the carrying capacity
A
the max population of a species that can be supported by an ecosystem
5
Q
list biotic factors for population size changes
A
- Interspecific competition
- Intraspecific competition
- Predation
6
Q
define interspecific competition
A
competition between species:
for the same resources
7
Q
define intraspecific competitions
A
competition within species:
organisms within a species, competing for the same resources
8
Q
define predation
A
when an organism kills and eats another organism, this creating a predator- prey relationship
9
Q
describe a predator-prey cycle
A
- prey population increases meaning predator population increases due to good food availability
predator increase means more prey eaten meaning prey decrease - prey decrease means less food so predator population also decreases
- predator decreases means less threat so prey increases
