UNIT 2 DAY 4 - POPULATION ECOLOGY

Question 1

Struggle for existence

Answer 1

• if all organisms reproduce above the replacement rate, but population generally do not grow in size, and if resources remain limited, then a struggle for existence must result
• in each generation most who are born will die before reproducing

Question 2

Darwin’s summary of evolution

Answer 2

• any variation will generally be past to the offspring
• offspring will have a better chance at survival (natural selection)
• all organisms are exposed to severe competition
• food mat be superabundant now but in later years it may not be
• animals are constantly destroying one another food sources

Question 3

Struggle for life

Answer 3

• dependence of one being on another, including not only the life of the individual but success in leaving offspring (progeny)

Question 4

Causes of the struggle for existence

Answer 4

• increase in individuals produced than can possibly survive
• all species cannot increase the world, can’t hold them
• all plants and animals are tended to increase at a geometrical ratio
• the increase would become too large to support
• survival rates decreased

Question 5

basic principles of population ecology

Answer 5

• because organisms reproduce above replacement rate, populations can grow exponentially
• because resources remain limited, as populations begin to grow, competition ensues, leading to death

Question 6

population

Answer 6

a group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area