Populations

Question 1

Population

Answer 1

Number of individuals of a species living in a particular place at a particular time.

Question 2

Distribution

Answer 2

Regions in which a species is found.

Question 3

Abundance

Answer 3

Number (of a species) in a specific area at any time.

Question 4

Population Density

Answer 4

Number of an individual species living in a particular place at a particular time per unit area.

Question 5

Random Distribution

Answer 5

An unpredictable spacing of individuals; where the position of each individual of a species is independent of the other individuals of the species in a given environment.

Question 6

Evenly Spaced Distribution

Answer 6

A distribution where individuals are more or less equally spaced throughout the entire area.

Question 7

Clumping

Answer 7

Distribution where individuals are found clustered in groups in particular parts of the habitats.

Question 8

Population Growth Rate

Answer 8

The rate of change in a population over a particular range of time.

Question 9

Population Growth

Answer 9

Increase in the size of a population in a particular habitat over time.

Question 10

Density- Independent Factor

Answer 10

An abiotic factor (that is independent of the density of the population) that affects the size of a population.

Question 11

Limiting Factors

Answer 11

Conditions that limit the growth, abundance or distribution of an organism or a population of organisms.

Question 12

r-Strategists

Answer 12

A species that occupies unstable environments and uses the evolutionary strategy of maintaining a high growth rate, occupying less-crowded ecological niches, and producing many offspring.

Question 13

K-Strategists

Answer 13

A species whose population fluctuates at or near the carrying capacity (K) of the environment in which it resides.

Question 14

Biofilm

Answer 14

A layer on a soil matrix composed of microscopic bacteria algae and protozoa in a complex polymer-linked assemblage.

Question 15

Density-Dependent Factor

Answer 15

Any factor influencing population regulation that has a greater impact as the density increases.

Question 16

Competition

Answer 16

Rivalry between individuals, f the same or different species, for specific resource(s).

Question 17

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Answer 17

Two species are unable to compete for the resources in the same niche.

Question 18

Niche

Answer 18

A species role in its environment; a species interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors of its environment.

Question 19

Character Displacement

Answer 19

The evolutionary divergence of characteristics displayed by two or more species with the same niche in a particular habitat.

Question 20

Resource Partitioning

Answer 20

Division of environmental resources by coexisting species populations to avoid competition for resources.

Question 21

Environmental Limiting Factor

Answer 21

Any factor that limits the growth of a population.

Question 22

Biotic Potential

Answer 22

Number of offspring capable of being produced by individuals of a species.

Question 23

Carrying Capacity

Answer 23

The total population of all environmental limiting factors.

Question 24

Environmental Resistance

Answer 24

Sum total of all environmental limiting factors.

Question 25

J-Shaped Population Curve

Answer 25

The graphical representation of the change in population density of an organism as it increases rapidly and the stops suddenly, due to environmental or other factors.

Question 26

S-Shaped Population Curve

Answer 26

The graphical representation of the change in population density of an organism when it initially increases slowly and then rapidly as it approaches an exponential growth rate, but the decreases and levels off as the environmental carrying capacity is reached.

Question 27

Equilibrium (Set Point)

Answer 27

Point at which a system can be maintained, e.g. population size for a specific environment.

Question 28

Ecological Homeostasis

Answer 28

Maintenance of a population size commensurate with environmental limiting factors, mediated by feedback systems.