Population Dynamics Review

1. Population Dynamics Review

2. Which of the following statements regarding the growth of populations is not true? • a population dominated by individuals past their reproductive age will cause a population to decline • population size will increase when the predominant age category are those individuals in their reproductive years • when there is even distribution among age categories, a population will tend to remain stable • a population dominated by prereproductive individuals will tend to decrease • population growth or decline depends on the number of individuals in each age category

3. The biotic potential of a population • is the maximum reproductive rate of a population. • is the current rate of growth of a population. • is an expression of how many offspring survive to reproduce. • can be determined only by studying an age structure diagram. • is the future rate of growth of a population.

4. Biotic potential is determined by • reproductive age span. • the minimum viable population. • how many offspring die before reproducing. • irruptive populations. • None of these answers.

5. Environmental resistance is enhanced by • the ability to compete for resources. • the ability to resist disease and parasites. • a specialized niche. • a high reproductive rate. • All of these answers.

6. Carrying capacity refers to • reproductive rate. • interaction of natality and mortality. • the maximum size of population the environment will support. • the proportion of males to females. • the intrinsic rate of increase.

7. A logistic growth curve depicting a population that is limited by a definite carrying capacity is shaped like the letter ____. • J • L • M • S • N

8. An exponential growth curve depicting an ever-growing population is shaped like the letter ____. • J • L • M • S • N

9. A population crash occurs when • a population approaches its carrying capacity. • environmental resistance comes into play gradually. • resources are essentially unlimited. • a population overshoots carrying capacity and environmental pressures cause effects. • the population growth rate slows.

10. Humans have extended earth's carrying capacity for the human species by • controlling many diseases. • using energy resources at a rapid rate. • using material resources at a rapid rate. • increasing life span. • All of these answers.

11. Carrying capacity is determined by • climatic changes. • predation. • interspecific competition. • resources. • All of these answers.

12. Density-dependent population controls include all of the following except • disease. • human destruction of habitat. • parasitism. • competition for resources. • predation.

13. Density-independent population controls include all of the following except • drought. • fire. • resource competition. • unfavorable chemical changes in the environment. • habitat destruction.

14. Which of the following statements is not true? • high population densities can help sexually reproducing individuals to find mates • high density populations can shield individuals from predators • high density populations can make large groups vulnerable to human predators • close contact between members of a high density population can increase infectious disease • when a population is genetically diverse, it makes that population more vulnerable to environmental resistance

15. An r-strategist generally • has a low biotic potential. • is small and short-lived. • gives much parental care to its offspring. • survives to reproduce. • reproduces late in life.

16. K-strategists • have high genetic diversity. • are more responsive to environmental changes than r-strategists. • exhibit fast rates of evolution. • are generally less adaptable to change than r-strategists. • reach reproductive age rapidly.

17. A K-strategist generally • has populations that follow an S-shaped growth curve. • exhibits "boom-and-bust" cycles. • has populations that rise quickly then crash. • generally lives in a rapidly changing environment. • have short generation times.

18. Which of the following is an r-strategist? • human • insect • rhinoceros • saguaro cactus • whale

19. Which of the following best describes the survivorship curve you would expect to find for a mountain gorilla? • late loss • constant loss • early loss • no loss • None of these answers.

20. Which of the following best describes the survivorship curve you would expect to find for a fish? • late loss • constant loss • early loss • no loss • None of these answers.