Science 14
Unit D: Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
CHAPTER 13 ASSIGNMENT PART I
1. Which list of factors can all change the size of a population?
(a) immigration, emigration, carrying capacity
(b) birth rate, emigration, carrying capacity
(c) immigration, emigration, death rate
(d) immigration, carrying capacity, death rate
2. Which of the following shows a typical predator–prey relationship?
(a) horse–rabbit
(b) ground squirrel–swift fox
(c) grass–monarch butterfly
(d) deer–western bluebird
3. A population can grow until its environment cannot support any more of that species. This
number of individuals is called the environment’s ____________ for that population.
(a) birth rate
(b) death rate
(c) limiting factor
(d) carrying capacity
4. Which of the following is a biotic limiting factor for grass plants?
(a) amount of sunlight
(b) amount of water
(c) number of primary consumers
(d) amount of space
5. Which of the following lists shows human activities that could all damage the natural habitats of
animals and plants?
(a) cultivating cropland, draining wetlands, planting forests
(b) draining wetlands, planting trees along edges of fields, logging
(c) cultivating cropland, rebuilding wetlands, logging
(d) logging, draining wetlands, cultivating cropland
6. Which of the following is not part of the definition of “population”?
(a) individuals of the same species
(b) in one place
(c) at one time
(d) the abiotic factors of the environment
7. A population has 100 individuals in 1984. By 1994, the population has 200 individuals. What is
their average annual rate of change?
(a) +100 individuals/year
(b) +10 individuals/year
(c) -100 individuals/year
(d) -10 individuals/year
8. Which two events can reduce the size of a population?
(a) death and immigration
(b) birth and immigration
(c) death and emigration
(d) birth and emigration
9. Choose the one correct statement from the list below.
(a) Limiting factors cause a population to increase to its carrying capacity.
(b) The carrying capacity of a population is determined by limiting factors.
(c) Emigration and immigration are limiting factors that control populations.
(d) Carrying capacity is determined by the birth rate of a population.
10. Which of the following terms refers to a plant or animal that is foreign to an area?
(a) exotic species
(b) parasite–host
(c) competition
(d) predator–prey
For the following questions, provide detailed answers on a separate piece of paper. Staple your
answers to this page when you hand in your assignment.
11. Describe five factors that might cause many individuals of a population to emigrate. Think of both
plants and animals.
12. Referring to a specific animal or plant, explain how abiotic factors can control the rate of growth
of a population. Include at least three points in your answer.
13. Name one exotic species that has caused damage to the natural ecosystem. Briefly, explain how it
has caused this damage.
14. Most parasites do not kill their hosts. Explain why parasites are considered biotic limiting factors.
15. Explain the statement: “Predators do not eliminate the population of prey, they simply remove
the surplus.”
16. One individual bacterium is placed in a sealed petri dish filled with nutrients. It grows to a
population of 262 147 individuals in 6 h.
(a) Use a calculator to calculate the growth rate/hour of the bacteria population.
(b) When does most of the population growth occur?
(c) This population cannot increase in this way forever. List several factors that will limit the
population size. For each limiting factor, indicate whether it is a biotic or an abiotic factor.
Name: _____________________________
Date: ______________________