Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

50. Population Ecology

Introduction to Population Ecology

General Biology

50. Population Ecology

Introduction to Population Ecology

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2:43 minutes

Problem 6

Textbook Question

The observation that members of a population are uniformly distributed suggests that
a. Resources are distributed unevenly.
b. The members of the population are competing for access to a resource.
c. The members of the population are neither attracted to nor repelled by one another.
d. The density of the population is low.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of population distribution: Population distribution refers to how individuals within a population are spaced out across a given area. The three main types of distribution are uniform, random, and clumped.

Consider the characteristics of uniform distribution: In a uniform distribution, individuals are evenly spaced. This often occurs when there is competition for resources, leading to each individual maintaining a certain distance from others to access resources efficiently.

Analyze the options given in the problem: Evaluate each option to determine which best explains the uniform distribution. Consider how resource availability and interactions between individuals might influence distribution patterns.

Option a suggests uneven resource distribution, which typically leads to clumped distribution as individuals gather where resources are abundant. Option b suggests competition, which can lead to uniform distribution as individuals space themselves to minimize competition.

Option c suggests neutral interactions, which might lead to random distribution rather than uniform. Option d suggests low density, which does not necessarily imply uniform distribution. Based on these analyses, identify the option that best explains uniform distribution.

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Key Concepts

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

Uniform Distribution

Uniform distribution in a population refers to individuals being spaced evenly across an area. This pattern often arises when resources are scarce and evenly distributed, leading to competition among individuals for those resources. It contrasts with clumped or random distributions, where individuals are grouped or scattered without a discernible pattern.

Resource Competition

Resource competition occurs when individuals vie for limited resources necessary for survival, such as food, water, or territory. In a uniformly distributed population, competition is a driving force that can lead to even spacing, as individuals maintain distance to maximize access to resources and minimize overlap with competitors.

Population Density

Population density refers to the number of individuals per unit area or volume. A low population density might suggest less competition and more available resources per individual, whereas high density can lead to increased competition. Uniform distribution can occur at various densities, but it often indicates a balance between resource availability and competition.

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Based on current growth rates, Earth's human population in 2019 will be closest to

a. 2.5 million

b. 4.5 billion

c. 7.5 billion

d. 10.5 billion

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Textbook Question

The term (K−N)/K

a. Is the carrying capacity for a population.

b. Is greatest when K is very large.

c. Is zero when population size equals carrying capacity.

d. Increases in value as N approaches K.

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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

According to the graph shown here, the carrying capacity for fruit flies in the environment of the culture bottle is .

a. 0 flies

b. 100 flies

c. 150 flies

d. Between 100 and 150 flies

e. Impossible to determine

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Textbook Question

With regard to its rate of growth, a population that is growing logistically

a. Grows fastest when density is lowest

b. Has a high intrinsic rate of increase

c. Grows fastest at an intermediate population density

d. Grows fastest as it approaches carrying capacity

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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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All of the following are density-dependent factors that can influence population size except

a. Weather

b. Food supply

c. Waste concentration in the environment

d. Infectious disease

e. Supply of suitable habitat for survival

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Textbook Question