Population dynamics

Question 1

What is the rapid increase in human numbers in referred to as?

Answer 1

population explosion

Question 2

What is the increasing numbers of humans a result of?

Answer 2

It is not due to an increase in birth rates (birth rates are declining in many countries). The increase in population has been caused by reduced death rates.

Question 3

What are the 4 main factors affecting human population numbers?

Answer 3

War, famine, contraception, disease

Question 4

How does war affect human population numbers?

Answer 4

Death decreases population but there is an increase in birth rates (baby boom) often following a war

Question 5

How does famine affect human population numbers?

Answer 5

lack of food leads to malnutrition and death due to disease and starvation.
Famine is usually caused due to food distribution problems rather than absolute food shortages.

Question 6

How does contraception affect human population numbers?

Answer 6

The decline in human population can be attributed to increased use of contraceptives

Question 7

How does disease affect human population numbers?

Answer 7

Vaccines, improved sanitation, safe anesthetics, improved surgical methods, antibiotics and new drugs have combined to save many lives and reduce the incidence of diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis and polio. All of these disease-control methods have helped to reduce the death rate and increase human numbers.