Ecology Quiz

How do ecologists study populations?

• By examining their color and size

• By examining their geographic range, growth rate, density and distribution, and age structure

• By examining their diet and habitat

• By examining their speed and agility

What is the carrying capacity of an environment?

• The maximum number of individuals an environment can support

• The speed at which a population grows

• The number of predators in an area

• The amount of food available in a habitat

What is a clumped distribution pattern?

• Individuals are spaced evenly

• Individuals are spaced randomly

• Individuals are close together in schools or herds

• Individuals are spread out uniformly

Why is age structure important in a population?

• It determines the color of the population

• It affects the population's ability to reproduce

• It shows the speed of population growth

• It indicates the geographic range

What is a uniform distribution pattern?

• Individuals are spaced randomly

• Individuals are spaced evenly

• Individuals are close together in schools or herds

• Individuals are spread out in clusters

What is emigration?

• Movement of individuals into a population's range.

• Increase in birthrate over death rate.

• Movement of individuals out of a population's range.

• Increase in population due to surplus of food.

How often can bacteria divide under ideal conditions?

• Every 10 minutes.

• Every 20 minutes.

• Every 30 minutes.

• Every hour.

What is the result of exponential growth if continued indefinitely?

• A stable population.

• An impossible number of individuals.

• A decrease in population.

• A balanced ecosystem.

What shape is the logistic growth curve described as?

• U

• S

• V

• L

What is carrying capacity?

• The minimum number of individuals an environment can support

• The maximum number of individuals a particular environment can support

• The average number of individuals in a population

• The number of individuals that can migrate