Unit 1 Ecology Science 9 Mr. Yeo Biology Quiz

Definition of Population

• The term 'population' refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Density and Population Study

• Scientists study population density to understand how many individuals occupy a given space, which impacts resource availability and species interactions.

Population Size Terminology

• The number of individuals in a population is referred to as population size.

Importance of Population Distribution

• Population distribution helps determine the spatial arrangement of individuals, which influences access to resources, mating, and survival rates.

Random Dispersion

• A population may exhibit 'random dispersion' due to the absence of significant influences affecting individual spacing, allowing individuals to be scattered without a specific pattern.

Even Distribution Patterns

• Uniform dispersion implies a more evenly distributed population, where individuals maintain a consistent distance from one another.

Carrying Capacity (K)

• Carrying capacity (K) refers to the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support based on available resources.

Factors Affecting Carrying Capacity

• Resources such as food availability, water supply, and habitat space contribute to an environment's carrying capacity.

Limiting Factors in Growth

• A limiting factor in population growth restricts the size of a population; these can include resource shortages, competition, and predation.

Density-Dependent Factors

• Density-dependent factors are those that increase in impact as the population density increases, such as disease spread or competition for resources.

Growth Models and Density

• The logistic growth model considers carrying capacity and incorporates limitations imposed by density-dependent factors.

Exponential Growth Species

• Species that grow exponentially when environmental conditions are favorable are typically characterized as r-selected species, which leverage rapid reproduction.

Uniform Dispersion Example

• Pine trees display uniform dispersion due to factors such as competition for sunlight and resources, leading to evenly spaced growth.

Sudden Population Increases

• Factors such as a sudden influx of resources or absence of predators can lead to rapid population increases in natural populations.

Rate of Population Growth

• The rate (r) of population growth is represented in population modeling by the change in population size over time as a function of births and deaths.

Steady Growth Patterns

• Logistic growth results in the rate of population growth staying relatively constant while the population size increases in a steady manner until reaching carrying capacity.

Clumped Dispersion Causes

• Clumped dispersion of pine trees can occur due to factors like localized resource availability, favorable microhabitat conditions, or social behaviors.

Emigration in Population Modeling

• In population modeling, 'emigration' refers to the movement of individuals leaving a population to live in another area, affecting population size and dynamics.

Test your understanding of ecology in the first unit of Science 9 with Mr. Yeo for the academic year 2023-2024. Explore the statement of inquiry, key concepts, related concepts, and the global context. Focus on the term 'population' and its characteristics.