$N_1 = 2 e^{2 \times 1} = 2 e^{2} \approx 14.78$

$N_1 = 2 + 2 \times 2 \left(1 - \frac{2}{10}\right) = 2 + 4 \times 0.8 = 2 + 3.2 = 5.2$

Question 1

Which two conditions are required for traits to evolve by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Traits must be heritable and must affect survival or reproduction.

Question 2

Approximately what is the current human population worldwide?

Accepted Answer

About 8 billion

Question 3

In most mammals, females live significantly longer than males. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Females generally invest more in immune function and have less risky behaviors.

Question 4

Which survivorship curve is most likely to exhibit very little parental care and high numbers of offspring?

Accepted Answer

Type III

Question 5

Which survivorship curve is most likely to have high offspring survival and high parental care?

Accepted Answer

Type I

Question 6

Which of the following best defines aging in biological terms?

Accepted Answer

A progressive decline in physiological function and increased probability of death over time.

Question 7

Which equation represents exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

$N_t = N_0 e^{r t}$

Question 8

In the exponential growth equation $N_t = N_0 e^{r t}$, what does $r$ represent?

Accepted Answer

The intrinsic rate of increase

Question 9

Given $N_0 = 2$ and $r_{max} = 2$, what is the population size at generation 1 using the exponential growth equation?

Accepted Answer

$N_1 = 2 e^{2 	imes 1} = 2 e^{2} \approx 14.78$

Question 10

When does exponential growth occur in a population?

Accepted Answer

When resources are unlimited and environmental resistance is minimal.

Question 11

Which equation represents logistic population growth?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

If a population starts at $N_0 = 2$, $r_{max} = 2$, and $K = 10$, what is the population size at generation 1 using the logistic growth equation?

Accepted Answer

$N_1 = 2 + 2 	imes 2 \left(1 - \frac{2}{10}ight) = 2 + 4 	imes 0.8 = 2 + 3.2 = 5.2$

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the carrying capacity ($K$) in population ecology?

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Question 14

Which real-world scenario best illustrates a Type I survivorship curve?

Accepted Answer

Humans in developed countries, where most individuals survive to old age.

Question 15

Which of the following is a common misconception about exponential growth in natural populations?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth can continue indefinitely in nature.

Question 16

A population of bacteria doubles every hour. If you start with 100 bacteria, how many will you have after 3 hours?

Accepted Answer

800

Question 17

Which factor is most likely to cause a population to shift from exponential to logistic growth?

Accepted Answer

Resource limitation

Question 18

If a population is growing logistically and $N$ is close to $K$, what happens to the growth rate?

Accepted Answer

The growth rate slows down and approaches zero.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

All individuals must have identical traits.

Population Ecology and Life History: Study Notes for General Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions