Ecology Key Terms Quiz

Questions and Answers

What are Limiting Factors?

Both biotic and abiotic factors that control the number, distribution, or reproduction of a population (correct)

Abiotic factors that control population

Biotic factors that control population

Factors that do not affect population

What is Density Dependent?

An environmental factor such as predation, disease, and competition that depends on the number of members in a population per unit area.

What is Density Independent?

An environmental factor such as storms or extreme hot or cold that affects population regardless of their density.

What is Disease in ecological terms?

A density dependent factor in which the body is not functioning normally. Signup and view all the answers

What does a short food supply lead to?

It leads to many organisms fighting over it, a density dependent factor. Signup and view all the answers

What is predation?

A density dependent factor in which one organism kills another for food. Signup and view all the answers

What is habitat disruption?

A density independent factor where an animal's living space has been disturbed or destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

What are Invasive Species?

Density dependent non-native species that move into an environment and take away resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is competition in ecology?

A density dependent factor in which organisms must fight for resources such as food, water, and shelter. 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 is exponential growth?

Type of growth that is extremely rapid and occurs when there are no limiting factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is logistic growth?

A type of growth in which a population experiences rapid growth then settles around carrying capacity due to limiting factors. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a population?

A group of the same species that live in the same area. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecosystem?

All the living and nonliving things in an area that interact. Signup and view all the answers

What are abiotic factors?

Nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What are biotic factors?

Living parts of an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is population density?

The number of individuals in an area of a specific size. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Limiting Factors

Control population dynamics through biotic (living) or abiotic (non-living) elements.
Essential for understanding community structure and species distribution.

Density Dependent Factors

Influence populations based on density, such as prey availability, disease prevalence, and competition intensity.
Key examples include:
- Disease: Alters normal bodily functions, often exacerbated by high population density.
- Food Supply: Scarcity leads to increased competition among organisms.
- Predation: One organism hunting another influences population size based on prey density.
- Competition: Organisms vie for essential resources like food, water, and shelter.

Density Independent Factors

Impact populations without regard to their density.
Examples include:
- Habitat Disruption: Natural or human-induced changes force species to relocate.
- Extreme Weather Events: Storms, heatwaves, or cold snaps can decimate populations irrespective of size.

Invasive Species

Non-native organisms that disrupt established ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources.

Carrying Capacity

Represents the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support, impacted by limiting factors.

Population Growth Patterns

Exponential Growth: Characterized by rapid increases when resources are unlimited and no restraints exist.
Logistic Growth: Follows a rapid initial growth phase, then stabilizes around the carrying capacity influenced by limiting factors.

Population and Ecosystem Concepts

Population: Defined as a group of the same species inhabiting a specific area.
Ecosystem: Comprises all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components in an area, interacting in complex ways.

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Abiotic Factors: Include elements like temperature, water, and minerals that shape the environment.
Biotic Factors: Consist of all living organisms that interact within an ecosystem.

Population Density

Refers to the number of individuals within a defined area, often used to assess habitat health and species viability.

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Description

Test your understanding of key terms in ecology such as limiting factors and population dynamics. This quiz covers essential concepts important for understanding how populations interact with their environments. Challenge yourself and see how well you know the factors that influence ecosystems!