Unit 4 – Populations – Quiz Study Guide
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1. You should understand the fundamental parameters describing population growth – b and d, r, N and K. How
can you calculate the growth rate of a population?
When birth rate + immigration rate = death rate + emigration, the population growth is zero.
2. You should understand the difference between exponential and logistic population growth. Draw an example
graph of each.
3. Study each of the age structure
diagrams from the following
locations below. Understand why (a)
shows rapid growth, (b) shows slow
growth and (c) show negative
growth.
4. Population density is defined/measured as _______________________________________________________.
a. Density dependent factors that guide population growth are those factors which “depend” upon
population size, such as….
b. Density independent factors that guide population growth are those factors that would be just as
influential in small populations as they are in large, such as…
5. Characteristics of “r” strategists include:
They are well adapted to survive in environments that are rapidly changing. Examples: flies, mice
6. Characteristics of “K” strategists include:
They are well adapted to stable environments. Examples include elephants, dogs, humans, and oak trees
(even though plants don’t generally spend a great deal of time nurturing offspring!)
7. Survivorship curves represent the number of individuals surviving at each age for a given species. Define each
type, draw the graph curve, and give an example.
a. Type I: ____________________________
b. Type II: _____________________________
c. Type III: ______________________________
8. The carrying capacity, shown on the graph to the right
(dashed line, marked K) is _______________________
_____________________________________________.
It can change seasonally, and is not a fixed quantity.
a. A population reaches its carrying capacity based
on limiting factors.
9. Spatial distribution patterns of organisms occur in
many ways.
a. There are “clumps” (most common): ______________________________________________
b. Uniform or “regular” distribution patterns: ____________________________________________
c. Random pattern (the least common): _________________________________________________
10. Scientists study populations to gather information about the structure, growth, and potential decline of a
species. Scientists sample (estimate) these populations through two methods: random (quadrant) and markrecapture. Summarize each and discuss the benefits/which type of population would be best sampled.
Population growth is affected by a lot of factors. A population is _______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________.
Population ecology is the study of how individuals within a population interact with one another.
a. Symbiotic interactions: _________________________________________________________________
Define, explain how each species involved is affected, and give an example for each type of interaction.
i. Predation
ii. Mutualism
iii. Commensalism
iv. Competition