Question 1

Which species' offspring are more likely to survive?

Accepted Answer

K-selected species have offspring with higher survival rates due to their slower reproductive rate and increased parental care, which allows for more resources and attention to be given to each offspring. R-selected species, on the other hand, have a higher reproductive rate but produce many offspring with lower chances of survival due to limited resources and parental care.

Question 2

Human populations have exceeded the natural carrying capacity of the Earth. Pick the factor(s) that allows us to increase the carrying capacity for humanity.

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuel-based agriculture, advancements in healthcare, biotechnology, and habitat destruction all contribute to increasing the carrying capacity for humanity.

Question 3

Lions in a savanna will increase in population as the total population of their prey species in the ecosystem increases. The number of lions present in the ecosystem is _____________.

Accepted Answer

The number of lions present in the ecosystem is a density-dependent factor, as it is directly influenced by the availability of prey, which is a limiting resource. As the prey population increases, the lion population can also increase up to a certain point, where they reach a carrying capacity determined by the availability of resources. Therefore, the number of lions is not a density-independent factor, not a reproductive strategy, not the biotic potential, and not necessarily at carrying capacity.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of r-selected species?

Accepted Answer

r-selected species are characterized by early maturity, rapid growth rate, many small offspring, and niche generalists. They typically have short lifespans and reproduce frequently. Therefore, the characteristic "long life" is not associated with r-selected species.

Question 5

Deer mice have a high biotic potential. Therefore, they have a _____________.

Accepted Answer

According to the question, deer mice have a high biotic potential, which means that they have the capacity to produce many offspring. Therefore, a high birth rate is expected. However, if the death rate were also high, the population would not be able to grow much. Therefore, the correct answer is B, which represents a high birth rate and a low death rate.

Question 6

The number-one reason for the endangered status of many species is _____________.

Accepted Answer

Habitat destruction caused by human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and pollution is the leading cause of the endangered status of many species.

Question 7

All populations eventually reach a maximum number as they experience resistance factors. What is the name of the term describing this maximum size?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity is the term used to describe the maximum number of individuals that a given environment can support. This limit is determined by factors such as the availability of resources, predation, disease, and competition, which act as resistance factors and eventually restrict population growth. Once a population reaches its carrying capacity, it tends to stabilize and fluctuate around that level unless the environmental conditions change.

Question 8

Which of the following is a density-independent factor?

Accepted Answer

Density-independent factors are environmental factors that affect the population regardless of its size or density. Fire, avalanche, and tornado are all examples of density-independent factors because they do not depend on the size or density of the population.

Question 9

-A farm field becomes abandoned and milkweed plants grow up in numbers over time. Based on the shape of the graph below, what kind of growth is this population experiencing? Where is the population in its growth, and what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 
-A farm field becomes abandoned and milkweed...

Question 10

What are some biological characteristics of a species that determines their life-history strategy?

Accepted Answer

Maturity rate, life span, and level of fecundity are all important biological characteristics that determine a species' life-history strategy. Maturity rate refers to the age at which an organism reaches reproductive maturity. Species with a faster maturity rate typically have shorter life spans but higher levels of fecundity, while species with a slower maturity rate have longer life spans but lower levels of fecundity. These factors influence how a species allocates its energy and resources towards reproduction and survival, which in turn impacts their life-history strategy. Therefore, all of the above factors are important determinants of a species' life-history strategy.

Question 11

________ population(s) is(are) more susceptible to the effects of predation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ population(s) is(are) more susceptible to the...

Question 12

Bacteria that can cause tooth decay undergo boom-and-bust cycles based on the availability of sugars in the mouth for growth. Which of the following is(are) a resistance factor(s) affecting the sugar's carrying capacity?

Accepted Answer

All of the above options can affect the sugar's carrying capacity in the mouth and lead to a reduced ability of bacteria to cause tooth decay. Low-sugar food choices reduce the available sugars for bacterial growth, brushing and flossing teeth can physically remove bacteria and their food sources, and regular dental care can prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar that provide a surface for bacterial growth.

Question 13

Early in the colonization of a new habitat, a population will show _____________, shifting to _____________ as the density of the population increases.

Accepted Answer

Early in colonization, a population will have few individuals and abundant resources, leading to exponential growth. As the population grows, resources become more limited, and the growth rate slows, eventually reaching carrying capacity and shifting to logistic growth. This pattern is known as the logistic growth curve. Therefore, the correct answer is B: exponential growth; logistic growth.

Question 14

A predator is an example of a(n) _____________.

Accepted Answer

A predator is a density-dependent factor, meaning its effect on the population is influenced by population density. As the prey population increases, the predator population also increases, and as the prey population decreases, the predator population decreases.

Question 15

Which species' population size is closer to its carrying capacity at any given time?

Accepted Answer

K-selected species have a lower reproductive rate, longer lifespan, and higher investment in the offspring, which means their population is more likely to stabilize closer to the carrying capacity of their environment compared to r-selected species. R-selected species have a higher reproductive rate, shorter lifespan, and lower investment in their offspring, which tends to result in population fluctuations that oscillate around the carrying capacity of their environment.

Question 16

Several decades ago, around 24 rabbits were introduced into the wild of Australia, a country with no native rabbit population, mild winters, and large rabbit-friendly food supplies. Where do you think the rabbit population is today, and was it a big deal that only 24 rabbits were released?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Several decades ago, around 24 rabbits were...

Question 17

What would happen to a large moose population if wolves were removed from the ecosystem? Explain your answer in terms of density-dependent or density-independent factors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What would happen to a large moose...

Question 18

Which species would be better suited to survive an unexpected environmental change?

Accepted Answer

r-selected species are better suited to survive unexpected environmental changes due to their high reproductive rates, short generation times, and ability to quickly exploit new environments.

Question 19

Which of the following factors affecting the human population is not density dependent?

Accepted Answer

Forest fires are not directly influenced by the density of the human population.

Question 20

Why is weather considered to be a density-independent factor?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is weather considered to be a...

Quiz 9: Population Ecology- the Wolf Watchers: Endangered Gray Wolves Return to the American West