Populations

• What is a population in biological terms?

  Groups of organisms of the same species
• What is a habitat?

  Part of the ecosystem where organisms live
• What defines a community in biology?

  All populations of different species in an area
• What is an ecosystem?

  Community and non-living components of the environment
• Can ecosystems vary in size?

  Yes, they can be very small or large
• What is a niche in an ecosystem?

  Organism's role within the ecosystem
• What happens if two species try to share a niche?

  They will compete, and one will outcompete
• What is carrying capacity?

  Maximum population size an ecosystem can hold
• What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

  Increased death rate to return to capacity
• What are abiotic factors?

  Non-living conditions in an ecosystem
• Why is oxygen important in aquatic ecosystems?

  Dissolved oxygen is crucial for aquatic life
• How do plants adapt to abiotic factors?

  Through extensive root networks or broad leaves
• What is the relationship between abiotic factors and species diversity?

  Less harsh factors support more species
• How do abiotic factors affect population sizes?

  They determine the availability of resources
• What are biotic factors?

  Living components of an ecosystem
• What is competition in an ecosystem?

  Interaction between organisms for resources
• What are the two types of competition?

  Interspecific and intraspecific competition
• What is interspecific competition?

  Competition between different species
• What is intraspecific competition?

  Competition among members of the same species
• What do organisms compete for?

  Space, food, water, and mates
• What is the predator-prey relationship?

  Interactions between predators and prey
• What are the key patterns in predator-prey relationships?

  1. Both predator and prey populations fluctuate.
  2. Prey population peaks higher than predator population.
  3. Prey population changes before predator population.
• Why do predator populations lag behind prey populations?

  Predators depend on prey for food
• What happens to the prey population when predators increase?

  Prey population decreases due to predation
• What is the significance of energy transfer in predator-prey relationships?

  Energy is lost at each trophic level
• How does the availability of resources affect population sizes?

  More resources support larger populations
• What is the relationship between abiotic factors and adaptations?

  Adaptations help organisms survive abiotic conditions
• How do harsh abiotic factors affect species diversity?

  They limit the number of species present
• What is the impact of competition on population dynamics?

  It can reduce population sizes of competing species
• How do courtship rituals relate to competition?

  They are part of mate competition in species
• What is the role of natural selection in adaptations?

  It drives the development of beneficial traits
• How do abiotic factors influence plant adaptations?

  They shape traits for survival in environments
• What is the significance of the predator-prey graph?

  It illustrates population dynamics over time
• What happens to predator populations when prey decreases?

  Predator populations decline due to food scarcity
• How does energy transfer affect predator-prey relationships?

  Predators need more prey to sustain energy
• What is the effect of resource availability on competition?

  Limited resources increase competition intensity
• How do abiotic factors affect photosynthesis?

  They influence light, water, and nutrient availability
• What is the relationship between carrying capacity and resource availability?

  Carrying capacity is determined by available resources
• How do abiotic factors influence animal behavior?

  They affect habitat selection and survival strategies
• What is the role of competition in natural selection?

  It drives the evolution of advantageous traits