The Effect Of Biotic And Abiotic Factors On A Population Flashcards
What are biotic factors?
Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem that affect population dynamics, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
What are abiotic factors?
Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem that influence population dynamics, such as temperature, water, and soil.
True or False: Biotic factors include competition and predation.
True
Fill in the blank: The primary abiotic factors that affect organisms include _____, _____, and _____ .
temperature, water, light
What role does carrying capacity play in population dynamics?
Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.
How do abiotic factors influence the distribution of organisms?
Abiotic factors such as climate, soil type, and water availability determine where organisms can survive and thrive.
What is an example of a biotic factor affecting population size?
Predation is an example, as it can reduce the number of individuals in a population.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor? A) Temperature B) Soil Type C) Predation D) Water
C) Predation
Define the term ‘population density’.
Population density is the number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume.
True or False: Increased competition among species can lead to a decrease in population size.
True
What effect does temperature have on population dynamics?
Temperature can affect metabolism, reproduction rates, and survival of organisms, thus influencing population size.
Fill in the blank: The interaction between biotic and abiotic factors can lead to _____ in population growth.
fluctuations
What is the significance of niche differentiation?
Niche differentiation allows multiple species to coexist by utilizing different resources or occupying different roles in an ecosystem.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a biotic factor? A) pH level B) Light intensity C) Disease D) Temperature
C) Disease
What is the impact of invasive species on native populations?
Invasive species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native populations, often leading to their decline.
True or False: Density-independent factors affect population size regardless of the population density.
True
What are some examples of density-dependent factors?
Examples include competition, predation, disease, and parasitism.
Fill in the blank: _____ is a biotic factor that can limit population growth through increased competition for resources.
Competition
What is a trophic level?
A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain, which reflects its feeding relationships.
Multiple choice: Which of the following abiotic factors can affect photosynthesis? A) Soil nutrients B) Water C) Light D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What does the term ‘biotic potential’ refer to?
Biotic potential refers to the maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions.
True or False: An increase in resources can lead to an increase in population size.
True
What is the relationship between habitat destruction and population dynamics?
Habitat destruction can lead to decreased population sizes and increased extinction rates due to loss of resources and space.
Fill in the blank: The _____ of an organism includes its habitat, role in the ecosystem, and interactions with other organisms.
niche
What is carrying capacity influenced by?
Carrying capacity is influenced by resource availability, environmental conditions, and interactions with other species.
Multiple choice: Which factor can lead to population explosions? A) Abundant resources B) High predation C) Disease D) Climate change
A) Abundant resources
What are keystone species?
Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.
True or False: The introduction of a predator can decrease the population of its prey species.
True
What is the effect of light availability on plant populations?
Light availability affects photosynthesis rates, growth, and reproductive success of plant populations.
Fill in the blank: _____ factors can include human activities, such as pollution and habitat destruction.
Abiotic
What is a population pyramid?
A population pyramid is a graphical representation showing the distribution of various age groups in a population.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a consequence of overpopulation? A) Increased resources B) Increased competition C) Decreased birth rates D) All of the above
B) Increased competition
True or False: Water availability is a critical abiotic factor for all living organisms.
True
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting plant growth.
Fill in the blank: The _____ of an ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic components.
environment
What is the impact of climate change on populations?
Climate change can alter habitats, affect resource availability, and lead to shifts in species distributions.
Multiple choice: Which of the following factors is considered a biotic factor? A) Temperature B) Competition C) Soil pH D) Light intensity
B) Competition
What does the term ‘population growth rate’ refer to?
Population growth rate refers to the change in the number of individuals in a population over a specific period.
True or False: Environmental resistance affects population growth by limiting resources.
True
What is the significance of genetic diversity in populations?
Genetic diversity enhances a population’s ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Fill in the blank: _____ factors can include disease outbreaks that impact population sizes.
Biotic
What is the effect of soil quality on plant populations?
Soil quality affects nutrient availability and water retention, which are crucial for plant growth and survival.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a density-independent factor? A) Disease B) Flood C) Competition D) Predation
B) Flood
What are the consequences of habitat fragmentation?
Habitat fragmentation can lead to reduced genetic diversity, isolation of populations, and difficulty in finding mates.
True or False: Species interactions can be both positive and negative.
True
What is the role of primary producers in an ecosystem?
Primary producers convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.
Fill in the blank: The _____ of a population can be influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors.
size
What is the impact of pollution on population dynamics?
Pollution can lead to habitat degradation, decreased reproductive success, and increased mortality rates.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a biotic interaction? A) Mutualism B) Commensalism C) Temperature D) Parasitism
C) Temperature
What are r-selected species?
R-selected species are those that produce many offspring with relatively low parental investment, often thriving in unstable environments.
True or False: K-selected species tend to have fewer offspring and invest more in parental care.
True
What is the importance of water availability for animal populations?
Water availability is essential for hydration, reproduction, and overall health of animal populations.
Fill in the blank: _____ is the gradual process by which populations adapt to their environment over generations.
Natural selection
What is the effect of predation on prey populations?
Predation can decrease prey populations and influence their behavior, distribution, and reproductive strategies.
Multiple choice: Which factor can lead to a decrease in biodiversity? A) Habitat destruction B) Invasive species C) Pollution D) All of the above
D) All of the above
True or False: Ecosystems with high biodiversity are generally more resilient to environmental changes.
True
What is the significance of ecological succession?
Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, leading to increased biodiversity and stability.
Fill in the blank: The _____ of a community can be affected by both biotic and abiotic factors.
structure
What role do pollinators play in ecosystems?
Pollinators facilitate reproduction in flowering plants, which is essential for food production and ecosystem health.
Multiple choice: Which abiotic factor can directly affect the rate of photosynthesis? A) Soil type B) Water C) Light D) All of the above
C) Light
True or False: Intraspecific competition occurs between individuals of the same species.
True
What is the impact of overfishing on fish populations?
Overfishing can lead to population declines, disrupt food webs, and affect ecosystem balance.
Fill in the blank: _____ is the phenomenon where organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more effectively.
Natural selection
What is the relationship between population size and resource availability?
Population size often increases with resource availability but can decline when resources become limited.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a consequence of high population density? A) Increased competition B) Lower birth rates C) Higher mortality rates D) All of the above
D) All of the above
True or False: Biodiversity is important for ecosystem resilience.
True
