Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a population and a community in ecological terms?

Accepted Answer

A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same place at the same time, while a community is all the interacting populations of different species in an area.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Question 3

A population of deer in a forest increases rapidly until it reaches a stable size. What is the term for the maximum number of deer the forest can support over time?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 4

Which equation best represents exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

$$N_t = N_0$ e$$^{rt}$$

Question 5

Which of the following is a density-dependent limiting factor?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Question 6

A hurricane destroys a coastal ecosystem, reducing populations of all species regardless of their size. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Density-independent factor

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the difference between r-selected and K-selected reproductive strategies?

Accepted Answer

R-selected species produce many offspring with little parental care; K-selected species produce few offspring with high parental care.

Question 8

Which survivorship curve would you expect for a K-selected species such as elephants?

Accepted Answer

Type I: High survivorship until old age

Question 9

If a population is below its carrying capacity, what is most likely to happen to its size?

Accepted Answer

It will increase

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why populations do not grow indefinitely in nature?

Accepted Answer

Limiting factors such as food, water, and space restrict population growth

Question 11

Which of the following is the correct order of ecological organization from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Individual, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome, Biosphere

Question 12

A population of rabbits in a field is affected by a sudden outbreak of disease that spreads more rapidly as the population increases. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Density-dependent factor

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a biotic factor?

Accepted Answer

Soil

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the logistic growth model?

Accepted Answer

Population growth slows as it approaches carrying capacity, forming an S-shaped curve

Question 15

Which equation best represents the logistic growth of a population?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN \left(1 - \frac{N}{K}\right)$$

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world example of a density-independent limiting factor?

Accepted Answer

A volcanic eruption

Question 17

Which of the following best describes biological fitness in the context of population ecology?

Accepted Answer

The ability of an organism to survive and pass on its genes to offspring

Question 18

Which of the following would most likely cause a population to decrease below its carrying capacity?

Accepted Answer

A severe drought reducing water supply

Question 19

Which of the following is a characteristic of an r-selected species?

Accepted Answer

Rapid population growth and many small offspring

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why K-selected species are more vulnerable to extinction than r-selected species?

Accepted Answer

They have slow population growth and few offspring, making recovery from population declines difficult

Population Ecology and Ecological Relationships: Structured Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards