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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2:04 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

Analyzing ecological footprints reveals that
a. Earth's carrying capacity would increase if per capita meat consumption increased.
b. Current demand by industrialized countries for resources is much smaller than the ecological footprint of those countries.
c. It is not possible for technological improvements to increase Earth's carrying capacity for humans.
d. The ecological footprint of the United States is large because per capita resource use is high.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of ecological footprint: It measures the amount of natural resources an individual, community, or country consumes compared to what the Earth can regenerate. It includes factors like food consumption, energy use, and waste production.

Analyze Earth's carrying capacity: This refers to the maximum population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.

Evaluate the impact of per capita meat consumption: Increased meat consumption generally requires more resources, such as land and water, for livestock farming, which can affect the ecological footprint and carrying capacity.

Consider the role of technological improvements: Technological advancements can potentially increase Earth's carrying capacity by improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, and developing sustainable practices.

Assess the ecological footprint of the United States: The United States has a large ecological footprint due to high per capita resource use, including energy consumption, transportation, and food production, which contributes to its overall environmental impact.

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Key Concepts

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

Ecological Footprint

The ecological footprint measures the demand on Earth's ecosystems and compares human consumption of natural resources with the planet's ability to regenerate them. It is expressed in global hectares and reflects the amount of biologically productive land and water area required to produce the resources consumed and to absorb the waste generated by a population.

Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals or species an environment can support without degrading the ecosystem. It is influenced by resource availability, environmental conditions, and technological advancements. Understanding carrying capacity helps in assessing the sustainability of human activities and their impact on the planet.

Per Capita Resource Use

Per capita resource use is the average amount of resources consumed by an individual within a population. It includes energy, water, food, and other materials necessary for daily life. High per capita resource use, especially in industrialized countries, contributes to a larger ecological footprint, indicating greater environmental impact and resource demand.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

After seeds have sprouted, gardeners often pull up some of the seedlings so that only a few grow to maturity. How does this practice help produce the best yield?

a. By increasing K

b. By decreasing r

c. By reducing intraspecific competition

d. By adding a density-independent factor to the environment

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