Ch.8 Key Terms

Question 1

Population Density

Answer 1

a measurement of population per unit area, or exceptionally unit volume

Question 2

Dispersion

Answer 2

the pattern of distribution of individuals within a habitat.

Question 3

Growth Rate

Answer 3

the study of how populations — of plants, animals, and other organisms — change over time and space and interact with their environment.

Question 4

Reproductive Potential

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Exponential Growth

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Carrying Capacity

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Niche

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Competetion

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Predation

Answer 9

the preying of one animal on others.

Question 10

Parasitism

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Mutualism

Answer 11

symbiosis that is beneficial to both organisms involved.

Question 12

Commensalism

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Symbiosis

Answer 13

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