Population Dynamics Review

1
Population Dynamics Review
2
Which of the following statements regarding the
growth of populations is not true?

1. a population dominated by individuals past their
   reproductive age will cause a population to
   decline
2. population size will increase when the
   predominant age category are those individuals in
   their reproductive years
3. when there is even distribution among age
   categories, a population will tend to remain
   stable
4. a population dominated by prereproductive
   individuals will tend to decrease
5. population growth or decline depends on the
   number of individuals in each age category

3
The biotic potential of a population

1. is the maximum reproductive rate of a population.
2. is the current rate of growth of a population.
3. is an expression of how many offspring survive to
   reproduce.
4. can be determined only by studying an age
   structure diagram.
5. is the future rate of growth of a population.

4
Biotic potential is determined by

1. reproductive age span.
2. the minimum viable population.
3. how many offspring die before reproducing.
4. irruptive populations.
5. None of these answers.

5
Environmental resistance is enhanced by

1. the ability to compete for resources.
2. the ability to resist disease and parasites.
3. a specialized niche.
4. a high reproductive rate.
5. All of these answers.

6
Carrying capacity refers to

1. reproductive rate.
2. interaction of natality and mortality.
3. the maximum size of population the environment
   will support.
4. the proportion of males to females.
5. the intrinsic rate of increase.

7
A logistic growth curve depicting a population
that is limited by a definite carrying capacity
is shaped like the letter ____.

1. J
2. L
3. M
4. S
5. N

8
An exponential growth curve depicting an
ever-growing population is shaped like the letter
____.

1. J
2. L
3. M
4. S
5. N

9
A population crash occurs when

1. a population approaches its carrying capacity.
2. environmental resistance comes into play
   gradually.
3. resources are essentially unlimited.
4. a population overshoots carrying capacity and
   environmental pressures cause effects.
5. the population growth rate slows.

10
Humans have extended earth's carrying capacity
for the human species by

1. controlling many diseases.
2. using energy resources at a rapid rate.
3. using material resources at a rapid rate.
4. increasing life span.
5. All of these answers.

11
Carrying capacity is determined by

1. climatic changes.
2. predation.
3. interspecific competition.
4. resources.
5. All of these answers.

12
Density-dependent population controls include all
of the following except

1. disease.
2. human destruction of habitat.
3. parasitism.
4. competition for resources.
5. predation.

13
Density-independent population controls include
all of the following except

1. drought.
2. fire.
3. resource competition.
4. unfavorable chemical changes in the environment.
5. habitat destruction.

14
Which of the following statements is not true?

1. high population densities can help sexually
   reproducing individuals to find mates
2. high density populations can shield individuals
   from predators
3. high density populations can make large groups
   vulnerable to human predators
4. close contact between members of a high density
   population can increase infectious disease
5. when a population is genetically diverse, it
   makes that population more vulnerable to
   environmental resistance

15
An r-strategist generally

1. has a low biotic potential.
2. is small and short-lived.
3. gives much parental care to its offspring.
4. survives to reproduce.
5. reproduces late in life.

16
K-strategists

1. have high genetic diversity.
2. are more responsive to environmental changes than
   r-strategists.
3. exhibit fast rates of evolution.
4. are generally less adaptable to change than
   r-strategists.
5. reach reproductive age rapidly.

17
A K-strategist generally

1. has populations that follow an S-shaped growth
   curve.
2. exhibits "boom-and-bust" cycles.
3. has populations that rise quickly then crash.
4. generally lives in a rapidly changing
   environment.
5. have short generation times.

18
Which of the following is an r-strategist?

1. human
2. insect
3. rhinoceros
4. saguaro cactus
5. whale

19
Which of the following best describes the
survivorship curve you would expect to find for a
mountain gorilla?

1. late loss
2. constant loss
3. early loss
4. no loss
5. None of these answers.

20
Which of the following best describes the
survivorship curve you would expect to find for a
fish?

1. late loss
2. constant loss
3. early loss
4. no loss
5. None of these answers.