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What is the essence of biological understanding?
What is the essence of biological understanding?
To know how organisms, while remaining an individual, interact with other organisms and physical habitats as a group and hence behave like organized wholes, i.e., population, community, ecosystem or even as the whole biosphere.
What are the four levels of biological organisation that ecology is concerned with?
What are the four levels of biological organisation that ecology is concerned with?
Why is population ecology important?
Why is population ecology important?
Because it links ecology to population genetics and evolution.
An individual organism has birth and death rates, but a population has birth rates and death rates.
An individual organism has birth and death rates, but a population has birth rates and death rates.
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What is the term for the change in number (increase or decrease) with respect to members of the population?
What is the term for the change in number (increase or decrease) with respect to members of the population?
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What is the term used to describe the distribution of different age groups of males and females in a population?
What is the term used to describe the distribution of different age groups of males and females in a population?
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What is the term used to describe the total number of individuals in a population?
What is the term used to describe the total number of individuals in a population?
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Which of the following contribute to an increase in population density?
Which of the following contribute to an increase in population density?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the significance of the four basic processes (natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration) in influencing population density?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the significance of the four basic processes (natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration) in influencing population density?
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What is the term used to describe the 'intrinsic rate of natural increase'?
What is the term used to describe the 'intrinsic rate of natural increase'?
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What is the name of the growth pattern described by the equation dN/dt = rN, where N is the population density and r is the 'intrinsic rate of natural increase'?
What is the name of the growth pattern described by the equation dN/dt = rN, where N is the population density and r is the 'intrinsic rate of natural increase'?
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What is the term used to describe the maximum population size that a habitat can support?
What is the term used to describe the maximum population size that a habitat can support?
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What is the name of the growth pattern described by the equation dN/dt = rN (K-N)/K, where N is the population density, r is the intrinsic rate of natural increase, and K is the carrying capacity?
What is the name of the growth pattern described by the equation dN/dt = rN (K-N)/K, where N is the population density, r is the intrinsic rate of natural increase, and K is the carrying capacity?
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Resources for growth for most animal populations are finite.
Resources for growth for most animal populations are finite.
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What is the term used to describe the ability of a species to survive and reproduce successfully in a particular environment?
What is the term used to describe the ability of a species to survive and reproduce successfully in a particular environment?
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Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the evolution of life history traits?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the evolution of life history traits?
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All natural habitats are inhabited by just one species.
All natural habitats are inhabited by just one species.
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What is the minimum requirement for a plant species to survive?
What is the minimum requirement for a plant species to survive?
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Plant species can survive independently, without needing soil microbes or animal agents for pollination.
Plant species can survive independently, without needing soil microbes or animal agents for pollination.
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What is the term used to describe interactions between populations of two different species?
What is the term used to describe interactions between populations of two different species?
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What type of interaction best describes the relationship between a tiger and a deer?
What type of interaction best describes the relationship between a tiger and a deer?
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Predators can only be categorized as animals that eat other animals.
Predators can only be categorized as animals that eat other animals.
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What is the term used to describe the introduction of exotic species into a geographical area that can have detrimental effects on the native ecosystem?
What is the term used to describe the introduction of exotic species into a geographical area that can have detrimental effects on the native ecosystem?
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What is the name of the principle that states that two closely related species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely?
What is the name of the principle that states that two closely related species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely?
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Competition can only occur when resources are limited.
Competition can only occur when resources are limited.
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What is the term used to describe the mechanism where species evolve to utilize different resources or different portions of the same resource, thereby reducing competition?
What is the term used to describe the mechanism where species evolve to utilize different resources or different portions of the same resource, thereby reducing competition?
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What is the name of the mode of life that provides free lodging and meals for the parasite, often at the expense of the host?
What is the name of the mode of life that provides free lodging and meals for the parasite, often at the expense of the host?
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Most parasites harm the host by reducing its survival, growth, and reproduction.
Most parasites harm the host by reducing its survival, growth, and reproduction.
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What is the term used to describe parasites that live on the external surface of the host organism?
What is the term used to describe parasites that live on the external surface of the host organism?
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What is the term used to describe parasites that live inside the host organism?
What is the term used to describe parasites that live inside the host organism?
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What is the term used to describe the type of parasitism where one species lays its eggs in the nest of another species and lets that species incubate the eggs?
What is the term used to describe the type of parasitism where one species lays its eggs in the nest of another species and lets that species incubate the eggs?
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What is the term used to describe an interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited?
What is the term used to describe an interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited?
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What is the term used to describe a relationship where both species benefit?
What is the term used to describe a relationship where both species benefit?
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Mutualistic relationships are only seen in plant-animal interactions.
Mutualistic relationships are only seen in plant-animal interactions.
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What is the name of the symbiotic relationship between fungi and photosynthesizing algae or cyanobacteria?
What is the name of the symbiotic relationship between fungi and photosynthesizing algae or cyanobacteria?
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What is the name of the symbiotic relationship between fungi and the roots of higher plants?
What is the name of the symbiotic relationship between fungi and the roots of higher plants?
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What is the name of the process that involves two species evolving together in response to each other's adaptations?
What is the name of the process that involves two species evolving together in response to each other's adaptations?
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Study Notes
Ecology: Organisms and Populations
- Ecology studies the interactions of organisms with their abiotic (physical) and biotic (other species) environment.
- It examines organisms, populations, communities, and biomes.
- Population ecology focuses on populations within a species.
- A population is a group of interbreeding individuals in a defined area.
Population Attributes
- Birth rates (per capita births per time period)
- Death rates (per capita deaths per time period)
- Sex ratio (proportion of males and females)
- Age distribution (proportion of individuals in different age groups)
- Population density (number of individuals per unit of area or volume).
- Age pyramids: A graphical representation of the age structure of a population. The shape of the pyramid reflects the population's growth status (growing, stable, or declining).
- Natality: Births during a particular period
- Mortality: Deaths during a particular period
- Immigration: Individuals moving into a population from elsewhere during a given period
- Emigration: Individuals moving out of a population during a given period
Population Growth Models
- Exponential growth: When resources are unlimited, populations grow exponentially (geometrically). This growth is represented by a J-shaped curve.
- Logistic growth: When resources are limited, populations exhibit logistic growth, slowing and reaching a carrying capacity (K). This growth is represented by an S-shaped curve.
Population Interactions
- Predation: One species (predator) feeds on another (prey).
- Competition: Two or more species compete for the same limited resources.
- Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is neither harmed nor benefited.
- Mutualism: Both species benefit.
- Parasitism: One species (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed.
- These interactions can shape communities and influence the distribution and abundance of species.
Life History Variation
- Populations evolve strategies to maximize their reproductive fitness in their environment.
- Life history traits vary among species influencing survival, reproduction, and age structure.
- Various reproductive strategies are adaptations to habitat resources.
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Description
This quiz explores key concepts in ecology, focusing on organisms and their interactions within populations. It examines various population attributes, such as birth and death rates, sex ratios, and age distributions. Test your understanding of how these factors influence population dynamics and community structures.
