Ch. 8 Key Terms Flashcards
population
all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country.
density
mass of a unit volume of a material substance
dispersion
the action or process of distributing things or people over a wide area
growth rate
refer to the percentage change of a specific variable within a specific time period
reproductive potential
the relative capacity of a species to reproduce itself under optimum conditions.
exponential growth
says that a quantity that increases with a rate proportional to its current size will grow exponentially
carrying capacity
species’ average population size in a particular habitat
niche
a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment.
competition
the activity or condition of competing.
predation
the action of attacking or plundering.
mutualism
the doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being.
commensalism
an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm
parasitism
the practice of living as a parasite in or on another organism.
symbiosis
interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both
