Question 1

A killing frost is an example of a density- independent factor.

Accepted Answer

A killing frost can affect all individuals in a population regardless of their density, therefore it is a density-independent factor.

Question 2

Territoriality often results in clumped dispersion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Territoriality often results in clumped dispersion....

Question 3

Sketch an exponential growth curve with correctly labeled axes. Identify two organisms and the conditions under which they might demonstrate such growth.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sketch an exponential growth curve with correctly...

Question 4

Most insects and invertebrates are said to be iteroparous .

Accepted Answer

Most insects and invertebrates are semelparous, meaning they reproduce once and then die. Iteroparous species, on the other hand, can reproduce multiple times throughout their lives.

Question 5

Write out the growth equation including the following factors: natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration. Provide a one-sentence explanation for the impact of each of these factors on the population growth rate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Write out the growth equation including the...

Question 6

A(n) exponential growth curve has a J shape.

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth curves typically have a J shape, starting with a slow initial growth rate and then accelerating as the population size increases more rapidly.

Question 7

Oysters have a(n) Type-II survivorship curve.

Accepted Answer

Oysters exhibit a Type-III survivorship curve, characterized by high mortality rates at the early stages of life and a higher survival rate for those that reach maturity.

Question 8

The most common spacing is random dispersion.

Accepted Answer

The most common spacing in nature is clumped dispersion, where individuals are found in groups or patches within a habitat, often due to resource availability, social interactions, or environmental factors.

Question 9

An example of a density- independent factor is predation.

Accepted Answer

Predation is a density-dependent factor because it is influenced by the number of individuals in a population. As the size of a population increases, there are more potential prey available for predators to consume. Conversely, if the population decreases, there are fewer individuals for predators to prey upon. Density-independent factors include natural disasters, climate change, and habitat destruction, which can affect populations regardless of their size or density.

Question 10

Members of a(n) r-selected species typically have a short lifespan.

Accepted Answer

r-selected species typically invest less resources in individual offspring and favor producing many offspring at once, which often leads to a higher mortality rate and shorter lifespan.

Question 11

A density- dependent factor is an example of a negative feedback system.

Accepted Answer

Density-dependent factors, such as competition for resources or predation, can limit the growth of a population and create a negative feedback system where increased population density leads to decreased resources and increased mortality, eventually stabilizing the population.

Question 12

In Type-I survivorship, the young have a high probability of surviving.

Accepted Answer

Type-I survivorship is characterized by a high probability of survival among young individuals, with most mortality occurring later in life.

Question 13

Compare and contrast Type I and Type III survivorship curves. Sketch a correctly labeled graph to support your comparison. BONUS: Identify two organisms that represent each of the two types of survivorship strategies discussed here.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast Type I and Type...

Question 14

Scramble competition results when all individuals in a population share the limited resources.

Accepted Answer

In a scramble competition, individuals in a population compete with each other for limited resources. This means that all individuals share the limited resources, leading to a competition for survival and reproduction.

Question 15

K strategists typically produce large numbers of offspring.

Accepted Answer

K strategists typically produce few offspring, but invest a lot of energy and resources into each offspring to increase its chance of survival and success.

Question 16

Species that exhibit repeated reproductive cycles are said to be semelparous .

Accepted Answer

Species that exhibit repeated reproductive cycles are known as iteroparous. Semelparous species reproduce only once in their lifetime and then die.

Question 17

A(n) exponential growth curve levels off at the carrying capacity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A(n) exponential growth curve levels off at...

Question 18

Interference competition is also called contest competition.

Accepted Answer

Interference competition refers to direct aggression, intimidation or obstructiveness that one species employs to limit the access of another organism to essential resources. This type of competition is also referred to as contest competition, as it involves a direct contest between individuals of different species.

Question 19

The percentages of a population at different ages are known as the:
A) growth rate.
B) age structure.
C) biotic potential.
D) density.
E) fecundity.

Accepted Answer

Age structure refers to the percentage of a population at different ages. The other options do not specifically refer to the percentages at different ages, but rather relate to other population characteristics (such as growth rate, biotic potential, density, and fecundity).

Question 20

The largest population that can be maintained in an environment for an indefinite period of time is called the carrying capacity .

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that can be sustained by a given environment over a prolonged period of time without degradation of the environment.

Quiz 53: Introduction to Ecology Population Ecology