Ch. 8 Key Terms

Question 1

Population

Answer 1

A population is the set of individuals within a species living in the sameplace at the same time

Question 2

Density

Answer 2

measure of the number of organisms that make up a population in a defined area.

Question 3

Dispersion

Answer 3

the pattern of distribution of individuals within a habitat.

Question 4

Growth Rate

Answer 4

The rate, or speed, at which the number of organisms in a population increases

Question 5

Reproductive Potential

Answer 5

the relative capacity of a species to reproduce itself under optimum conditions.

Question 6

Exponential Growth

Answer 6

growth whose rate becomes ever more rapid in proportion to the growing total number or size.

Question 7

Carrying Capacity

Answer 7

the number of people, other living organisms, or crops that a region can support without environmental degradation.

Question 8

Niche

Answer 8

all of the interactions of a species with the other members of its community, including competition, predation, parasitism, and mutualism

Question 9

Competition

Answer 9

struggle between two organisms for the same resources within an environment.

Question 10

Predation

Answer 10

the preying of one animal on others.

Question 11

Parasitism

Answer 11

the practice of living as a parasite in or on another organism.

Question 12

Mutualism

Answer 12

symbiosis that is beneficial to both organisms involved.

Question 13

Commensalism

Answer 13

an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.

Question 14

Symbiosis

Answer 14

interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.