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Ch. 51 - Population Ecology
Freeman - Biological Science 8th Edition
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksFreeman 8th EditionCh. 51 - Population EcologyProblem 3
Chapter 51, Problem 3

If most individuals in a population are young, why is the population likely to grow rapidly in the future?
a. Death rates will be low.
b. The population has a skewed age distribution.
c. Immigration and emigration can be ignored.
d. Many individuals will begin to reproduce soon.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of age distribution in a population. A population with a large number of young individuals typically indicates a potential for future growth.
Consider the reproductive potential of young individuals. As these individuals mature, they will reach reproductive age, leading to an increase in birth rates.
Analyze the impact of low death rates among young individuals. Young populations generally have lower mortality rates, contributing to population growth.
Evaluate the role of immigration and emigration. While these factors can affect population size, the presence of many young individuals suggests internal growth through reproduction.
Recognize the significance of option d: 'Many individuals will begin to reproduce soon.' This is a key factor in predicting rapid population growth, as the young individuals will contribute to the next generation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Age Structure

Age structure refers to the distribution of individuals of different ages within a population. A population with a large proportion of young individuals suggests a potential for rapid growth, as these individuals will soon reach reproductive age, increasing the birth rate and contributing to population expansion.
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Reproductive Potential

Reproductive potential is the capacity of a population to grow based on the number of individuals capable of reproducing. Young populations have high reproductive potential because many individuals will soon enter their reproductive years, leading to an increase in birth rates and, consequently, population growth.
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Population Growth Rate

Population growth rate is the change in the number of individuals in a population over time. It is influenced by birth rates, death rates, and age distribution. A population with many young individuals is likely to experience a high growth rate as these individuals mature and reproduce, assuming other factors like death rates remain constant.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

What is usually true of exponential growth? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F The population is growing.

T/F The per capita growth rate is constant.

T/F The per capita growth rate increases rapidly over time.

T/F The per capita growth rate is very high.

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Textbook Question

In what populations does exponential growth tend to occur?

a. Populations that colonize new habitats

b. Populations that experience intense competition

c. Populations that experience high rates of predation

d. Populations that have surpassed their carrying capacity

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Textbook Question

Why is there a trade-off between survivorship and fecundity?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following species is most likely to have a Type III survivorship curve?

a. Humans, Homo sapiens

b. Common lizards, Zootoca vivipara

c. Thale cress plants, Arabidopsis thaliana

d. Lynx cats, Lynx canadensis

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Textbook Question

Pose a hypothesis to explain why the human population has undergone especially rapid growth over the past 200 years. Describe two examples of density-dependent factors that limit human population growth. Is it possible that humans have surpassed Earth's carrying capacity?

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