What determines population size?

Question 1

what is carrying capacity?

Answer 1

the max population size that can be maintained over a period in a particular habitat

Question 2

what is the lag phase?

Answer 2

when there are few individuals which are still acclimatising to their habitat so the rate of reproduction is low so growth of population is slow

Question 3

what is the log phase?

Answer 3

when the resources are plentiful and conditions are good so reproduction can happen quickly and rate of reproduction is exceeding rate of death so population size increases rapidly

Question 4

what is the stationary phase?

Answer 4

when population size has levelled out at the carrying capacity of the habitat. rate of reproduction and morality are equal so population size stays stable

Question 5

what is k-strategists?

Answer 5

species whose population size is determined by the carry capacity. Limiting factors exert a more significant effect as the population size gets closer to the carrying capacity

Question 6

examples of k-strategists?

Answer 6

birds, larger mammals, humans, elephants, larger plants

Question 7

k-strategists characteristics

Answer 7

• low reproductive rate
• slow development
• late reproductive age
• long lifespan
• large body mass

Question 8

what are r-strategists?

Answer 8

Population size increases so quickly that it can exceed the carrying capacity before limiting factors start to have an effect