Biology Flashcards: Population Dynamics

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Questions and Answers

What is the difference between immigration and emigration?

Immigration is species coming into an environment. Emigration is species going out of an environment.

What is exponential growth and logistic growth?

Exponential growth is when a population grows rapidly over a short period of time. Logistic growth is when a population reaches its carrying capacity and the birth rate and death rate are equal.

List limiting factors. Explain if they are density-dependent or density-independent.

Some limiting factors are predation, competition, disease, human disturbance, and weather. Predation, competition, and disease are density-dependent factors. Weather and human disturbances are density-independent factors.

What is the difference between a threatened species and an endangered species?

A threatened species is one that is likely to be at the brink of extinction. An endangered species is one that is already at the brink of extinction. Signup and view all the answers

List and describe renewable and non-renewable resources. Why is a resource non-renewable?

Renewable resources can be replaced after a period of time. Non-renewable resources cannot be replaced over time. A resource is non-renewable because there's too much of it to be replaced. Signup and view all the answers

What is carrying capacity?

The largest number of individuals of a population that an environment can support. Signup and view all the answers

What causes populations to grow? What causes populations to decrease?

Populations grow if the birth rate and immigration go up, and the death rate and emigration go down. They decrease if the death rate and emigration go up, and the birth rate and immigration go down. Signup and view all the answers

What is a non-native/invasive/intruded species? What harm can these organisms pose on native species?

An invasive species invades another species' habitat and/or niche and creates difficulty in the other organisms' lives. It can harm the species by taking over its food source, or its home. Signup and view all the answers

List and describe various threats to biodiversity.

Threats to biodiversity include deforestation, soil erosion, overfishing, and pollutants. Deforestation impacts carbon dioxide management, soil erosion affects decomposers and soil quality, and pollutants stem from burning fossil fuels. Signup and view all the answers

List the characteristics used to describe a population.

Geographic distribution, population density, and growth rate. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the human population has changed over time.

The population used to be at what was thought to be the world's carrying capacity. Then we began creating vaccines and cures for deadly diseases, leading to exponential growth that hasn't stopped since. Signup and view all the answers

Why do populations and their growth rates differ in various parts of the world?

Different biomes hold different environments which influence populations. Different populations have varying carrying capacities, determining the number of species. Signup and view all the answers

How do humans affect ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole?

Humans affect ecosystems by polluting air and water. In the biosphere, excessive carbon release traps gases, creating the greenhouse effect. Signup and view all the answers

Describe sustainable use.

Biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of conservation biology?

To evaluate human impacts on biological diversity and prevent all species from going extinct. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Immigration vs. Emigration

Immigration refers to species entering an environment, while emigration pertains to species leaving an environment.

Population Growth Types

Exponential growth occurs when a population experiences rapid increase over a short time frame.
Logistic growth happens as a population stabilizes upon reaching its carrying capacity, where birth rates equal death rates.

Limiting Factors on Populations

Limiting factors include predation, competition, disease (density-dependent), and weather, human disturbances (density-independent).

Threatened Species vs. Endangered Species

A threatened species is at risk of becoming endangered, while an endangered species is close to extinction.

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

Renewable resources can be replenished over time; non-renewable resources cannot be replaced effectively due to extraction speed and depletion.

Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support.

Population Dynamics

Increases in population occur when birth rates and immigration rise, whereas decreases result from higher death rates and emigration.

Invasive Species

Invasive species disrupt local habitats, potentially harming native species by monopolizing resources like food and shelter.

Threats to Biodiversity

Major biodiversity threats include deforestation, which removes oxygen-producing trees; soil erosion, leading to loss of decomposers and soil health; overfishing; and pollution from excessive fossil fuel combustion.

Characteristics of Populations

Populations are described by geographic distribution, population density, and growth rate.

Human Population Changes

Historical population stability was disrupted by advancements in medicine (vaccines, cures), leading to sustained exponential growth.

Global Population Variability

Variations in population growth are influenced by differing biomes and their respective carrying capacities.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

Human activities degrade air and water quality and contribute to the greenhouse effect by accumulating carbon emissions, affecting the biosphere.

Sustainable Use

Sustainable use aims to ensure biological systems remain diverse and productive over time.

Conservation Biology Goals

The ultimate aim of conservation biology is to assess human impacts on biodiversity and prevent species extinction.

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Description

Test your knowledge on essential concepts in biology with these flashcards. Learn the differences between immigration and emigration, as well as the types of population growth: exponential and logistic. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of ecological principles.