Topic 7- carrying capacity

Question 1

Define carrying capacity

Answer 1

The maximum stable population size of a species that an ecosystem can support

Question 2

What prevents every individual in a population from making it to adulthood and reproducing

Answer 2

abiotic and biotic factors

Question 3

What do abiotic and biotic factors ensure?

Answer 3

the population size of each species is limited

Question 4

Define abiotic factor

Answer 4

non-living parts of an ecosystem

Question 5

Give some examples of abiotic factors that can limit population size?

Answer 5

light availability
water supply
temperature
amount of space available
soil pH

Question 6

Define biotic factor

Answer 6

the living parts of an ecosystem- the interactions between organisms

Question 7

Give the 3 components of biotic factors

Answer 7

interspecific competition
Intraspecific competition
Predation

Question 8

Define Interspecific competition

Answer 8

competition for the same resources between individuals from different species

Question 9

Explain how competition between species means that the sizes of both populations are limited

Answer 9

-each species has access to fewer resources and therefore less chance of survival and reproduction
-usually occurs if the two species are similarly well-adapted to the habitat

Question 10

Explain how competition between species can lead to a decrease in the population size of one of the species and an increase in the population size of the other

Answer 10

-occurs if one species is able to out-compete the other for resources and therefore has a greater chance of surviving and reproducing
-usually occurs if one of the species is better adapted to the habitat

Question 11

Define intraspecific competition

Answer 11

competition for the same resources between individuals from the same species

Question 12

Why are the population sizes of both predators and prey limited?

Answer 12

In stable communities, the numbers of predators and prey rise and fall in cycles