Biology 241: Energy Flow in Ecosystems
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Questions and Answers

What result occurs when a population overshoots its optimum growth conditions?

  • It stabilizes at a higher growth rate
  • It adapts to environmental changes
  • It enters a phase of positive growth
  • It experiences negative growth rate (correct)

Which of the following is considered a density-dependent factor affecting population growth?

  • Temperature
  • Predation (correct)
  • Natural disasters
  • Light availability

Which life history strategy typically leads to populations that are strong competitors?

  • r-Selected Species
  • K-Selected Species (correct)
  • Disturbance Adapted Species
  • Boom/Bust Species

What is one characteristic of r-Selected species in relation to their offspring?

<p>Low juvenile survivorship (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which abiotic factor is independent of other organisms and affects population growth uniformly?

<p>Temperature (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes K-Selected species regarding their lifespan?

<p>They are typically long-lived (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do density-independent factors primarily affect populations?

<p>They impact populations regardless of their size (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is characteristic of species exhibiting iteroparity?

<p>Multiple reproductive events (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that causes the growth rate of a population to decline as the population size increases?

<p>Increased crowding impacts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which population growth model is characterized by a carrying capacity?

<p>Logistic Growth Model (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of rmax in population growth?

<p>It varies significantly between different species. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the calculation of rmax?

<p>rmax = (B – D) / N (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does density-dependent factors affect population growth?

<p>They limit growth as the population density approaches carrying capacity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the formula Nt = N0(1 + rmax)t, what does Nt represent?

<p>Population size at time t. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the intrinsic rate of increase (rmax)?

<p>rmax can never be negative. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What typically limits population growth in real-world scenarios?

<p>Habitat destruction and resource depletion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a population has an initial size (N0) of 100 and rmax of 0.2, what will be the population size after 2 time periods?

<p>144 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor has the least effect on rmax among the following options?

<p>Predation levels. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does high population density have on growth rates according to density-dependent factors?

<p>It generally slows down growth rates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which species has the highest potential rmax based on the given examples?

<p>Bacteria with rmax &gt; 10 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the population growth rate as the population size approaches the carrying capacity?

<p>The growth rate decreases. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the logistic growth model, which factor most directly influences the variable 'r' as population size increases?

<p>Fraction of carrying capacity available. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected population size after 1 year if initial population N0 is 50, K is 1000, and $r_{max}$ is 0.1?

<p>62.5 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors affecting logistic growth can be classified as density-dependent?

<p>Food supply. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After two years, if the population started with 100 individuals at a carrying capacity of 1000 and recorded consistent environmental conditions, how might the growth of the population compare to the first year?

<p>It will continue to grow but at a slower rate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a population of 250 is growing logistically with a carrying capacity of 1000 and a maximum growth rate ($r_{max}$) of 0.2, what is the population size expected after one year?

<p>275 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which variable indicates the maximum population growth potential in the logistic growth equation?

<p>rmax (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does increased disease prevalence typically have on a population growing logarithmically?

<p>Decreases birth rates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When considering logistic growth, which statement about population interactions is incorrect?

<p>Mutualistic relationships always enhance population size. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a carrying capacity (K) indicate in a population growth model?

<p>The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes density-dependent factors?

<p>They become more effective as population size increases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a logistic growth model, which phase follows the exponential growth phase?

<p>Carrying capacity phase. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the per capita growth rate (r) for a population is zero, what can be concluded?

<p>The population size is stable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would happen to a population if environmental resistance factors became increasingly severe?

<p>Population size would stabilize at a lower carrying capacity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the calculation of population size changes, what does the symbol 'B' specifically refer to?

<p>The number of births within the population. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an r-selected species?

<p>They thrive in unstable environments with high mortality rates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of population size calculations, what does the variable 'D' represent?

<p>The number of deaths occurring in a population. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What equation accurately represents per capita growth rate (r) in a population?

<p>r = (Births - Deaths) / Total Population (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Intrinsic rate of increase (rmax)

The maximum per capita growth rate of a population under ideal conditions.

rmax Constant

The intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) is a constant value for a given species in specific environmental conditions.

rmax positive

The intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) is always positive — representing population growth.

rmax varies by species

The intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) differs from species to species.

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Exponential Growth Formula

Nt = N0(1 + rmax)t. Calculates population size (Nt) at a given time.

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N0 in formula

Starting population size at time zero (t = 0).

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rmax calculation

rmax = (births – deaths) / initial population size.

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Nt in formula

Population size at a future time 't'.

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Population growth limitations

Organisms generally don't live in ideal conditions, and other factors limit population growth.

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Exponential Growth

Population growth that occurs when an organism has unlimited resources and ideal conditions.

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Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that affect a population's growth rate in relation to its density (number of individuals in a given area).

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Density-Independent Factors

Factors that affect a population's growth rate regardless of its density.

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r-selected species

Species that reproduce quickly and have many offspring, but with low survival rates.

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K-selected species

Species that reproduce slowly, have fewer offspring, and tend to live near carrying capacity.

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Carrying capacity

The maximum population size an environment can sustainably support.

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Food availability

Amount of food available to a population, impacting growth.

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Population growth

The increase in the number of individuals in a population over time.

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Reproduction

The process of producing offspring, affected by density.

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Adult size

The average size of adults in a population, affected by density.

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Survival

Probability that an individual will survive to a certain age.

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Population

All individuals of a species living and reproducing in a specific location.

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Population Size

Number of individuals in a population at a specific time and place.

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What influences population size?

Births, deaths, immigration, and emigration influence population size.

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Per capita birth rate (b)

The number of births per individual in a population.

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Per capita death rate (d)

The number of deaths per individual in a population.

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Per capita growth rate (r)

The difference between birth rate and death rate per individual.

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What does r > 0 mean?

The population is growing because births exceed deaths.

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What does r < 0 mean?

The population is shrinking because deaths exceed births.

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dN/dt = rN

The formula for exponential population growth; changes in population size over time are proportional to the current population size and the per capita growth rate.

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Population Growth Rate (r)

The rate at which a population grows.

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Logistic Growth

Population growth that levels off as it approaches the carrying capacity.

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Logistic Growth Equation

r(t) = rmax * ((K-N)/K)

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rmax

The maximum per capita growth rate of a population under unlimited resources.

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Population Size (N)

The number of individuals in a population.

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Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can support.

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Population Growth Formula

Nt+1 = Nt(1 + rt)

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Calculating Logistic Growth

Finding the population size of a population that follows logistic growth.

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Population size (N)

Number of individuals at a point in time

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Study Notes

Biology 241 Overview

  • Biology 241 studies energy flow within biological systems.
  • Units include Molecular Energy Transformations, Cellular Energy Transformations, Energy Allocation in Organisms, and Energy Flow in Ecosystems. Ecosystem Energetics, specifically, examines population growth and ecosystems' energy dynamics.
  • A core textbook resource is Fenton et al. (2023), Chapter 26 (pages 689-714).

Learning Objectives

  • Students should explain the difference between exponential and logistic population growth models.
  • Students should recall and use equations for both exponential and logistic population growth, given data.
  • Students should describe what different values of 'r' (per capita growth rate) indicate, including the meaning of 'r = 0'.
  • The concept of rmax (intrinsic rate of increase) should be defined and its conditions of occurrence explained.
  • Students should define carrying capacity (K).
  • Students should differentiate between, and explain the influence of, density-dependent and density-independent factors on population growth.
  • Students should compare and contrast r-selected and K-selected species.

Population Growth

  • A population is comprised of all individuals of a particular species within a specific area that reproduce within that area.
  • Population size is the number of individuals present at a given time in a given location.
  • Key factors that influence population size include births, deaths, immigration, and emigration (migration is excluded from the course).

Population Growth - Calculation

  • The change in total population numbers can be studied through the difference in births and deaths.
  • Per capita birth rate (b) and per capita death rate (d) are calculated (B/N and D/N respectively), where B is the total number of births, D is the total number of deaths, and N is the total number of individuals.
  • The per capita growth rate (r) is calculated as r = b - d = (B - D)/N.
  • A positive r signifies population growth, while a negative r indicates population decline.

Calculating Change in Population Growth

  • The change in population size over time (dN/dt) can be calculated using the equation dN/dt = rN0, where r is the per capita growth rate and N0 is the initial population size.

Exponential Growth Model

  • Under ideal conditions, the per capita growth rate (r) reaches its maximum (rmax), a constant positive value which varies by species.
  • Examples of rmax values (in different species): Bacteria (can exceed 10), Humans (approximately 0.0001).
  • The exponential growth model assumes r is constant over time. The formula for exponential growth is Nt = N0(1 + rmax)t.

Calculating Exponential Growth

  • Using the formula Nt = No(1 + rmax)t with knowns, we can calculate population size at a specific point in time.

Logistic Growth Model

  • Real-world populations are not always ideal.
  • Population growth rate decreases as population size approaches the carrying capacity (K), the maximum sustainable population size of a given environment.
  • Logistic growth accounts for the carrying capacity (K) in the equation of population growth rate.
  • The per capita growth rate (r) is influenced by the fraction of K available to the population, calculated as rt = rmax((K-Nt)/K).
  • The logistic curve peaks, and then flattens off, as it approaches the carrying capacity of the environment.

Calculating Logistic Growth

  • Determining the population size at a future point in time given the initial population, growth rate (rt), and carrying capacity (K) using the formula Nt+1 = N₁(1 + rt).

Density-Dependent Factors

  • Biotic factors, including food availability, shelter, mates, predation, and disease, influence population growth and become more significant in large populations.

Density-Independent Factors

  • Abiotic components, such as temperature, precipitation, light, and major disturbances (e.g., fires, floods), affect populations irrespective of their size.

Life History Strategies

  • r-selected species tend to live in environments with disturbances, while K-selected species thrive near the carrying capacity of their environment. Their reproductive strategies differ significantly.
  • Key differences in characteristics include offspring size, sexual maturity, fecundity (number of offspring), parental investment, juvenile survival, and lifespan.

Comparing r and K Selected Species

  • r-selected species favour rapid reproduction in unstable environments, while K-selected species invest more in fewer offspring and tend to thrive in stable environments. Note that the 'r' and 'K' refer to the different selection pressures involved in these strategies.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of energy flow within biological systems as outlined in Biology 241. Key topics include molecular and cellular energy transformations, population growth models, and ecosystem energetics, referencing Fenton et al. (2023). Students will explore concepts like intrinsic growth rate and carrying capacity in relation to population dynamics.

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