Chapter 15.1 Summary

Question 1

A ________ is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living in a fixed area.

Answer 1

population

Question 2

Ecologists measure a population by the number of individuals and their _______.

Answer 2

dispersion

Question 3

______ ______ can be estimated by capturing a sample of the population, marking the individuals, freeing them, and then capturing another sample. The proportion of marked to unmarked individuals allows calculation of total population size.

Answer 3

Population size

Question 4

_______ _______ is an increase in numbers as a function of the current population size. On a graph, it takes the form of a J-shaped curve.

Answer 4

exponential growth

Question 5

In most populations, a decrease in death rates is followed by a decrease in birth rates. The gap between when each drop is called the ________ ________.

Answer 5

demographic transition