Ch. 8 Key Terms Flashcards
population
the set of individuals within a species living in the same place at the same time.
density
the number of individuals per unit area or volume
dispersion
describes the arrangement of its individuals in space
growth rate
The percentage change in the size of a population over a given period of time
reproductive potential
This rate is limited by the maximum number of offspring that each member of the population can produce
exponential growth
Populations sometimes undergo exponential growth, which means they grow faster and faster
carrying capacity
the population size where birth rates and death rates are equal.
niche
the range of conditions in which a species can survive.
competition
a relationship in which different individuals or populations attempt to use the same limited resource.
predation
An organism that feeds on another organism is called a predator, and the organism that is fed upon is the prey
mutualism
A close relationship between two species in which each species provides a benefit to the other
commensalism
A relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped
symbiosis
A relationship in which two species live in close association
parasitism
The relationship between the parasite and its host
