Week 4: Human population growth

Question 1

Why study population dynamics?

Answer 1

Forecast trends in human population growth
Understand the influence of populations on ecosystem
Understand how populations will/can respond to changes in the environment
Understand unequal and inequitable distribution of human health conditions produced or mediated via environmental conditions

Question 2

Carrying capacity

Answer 2

Population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water and other necessities available in the environment

Question 3

Environmental resistance

Answer 3

Disease
Environmental disasters
Pushes back on population trying to reach biotic potential

Question 4

Biotic potential

Answer 4

Ability of a population of living species to increase under ideal environmental conditions (sufficient food supply, no predators, lack of disease)

Question 5

Homeostatic controls

Answer 5

Self-regulating aspects of a population that control its ability to achieve biotic potential, including behavioral, physiological and social influences
(toxins, stress, decrease in male sperm count)

Question 6

Human toxome project

Answer 6

287 chemicals detected in umbilical cord blood
217 are toxic to brain and nervous system
208 defects or abnormal development in animal tests

Question 7

Physical stressors

Answer 7

Homeostatic control

External challenge to homeostasis

Question 8

Psychosocial stressors

Answer 8

Homeostatic control

Lack of control, stress, lack of outlets for frustration

Question 9

Biological response to stress

Answer 9

Glucocorticoids

Continued stress causes continuous secretion and inability to respond effectively to stressful situations

Question 10

Environmental impact of human population growth

Answer 10

GHG emissions
Available arable land
Services & infrastructure
Housing affordability
Mental health and aging