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AP Biology: Population Ecology Flashcards

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9788623033populationA group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area0
9788623034age structurePercentage of the population (or number of people of each sex) at each age level in a population.1
9788623035population densityNumber of individuals per unit area2
9788623036exponential growthGrowth of a population in an ideal, unlimited environment, represented by a J-shaped curve when population size is plotted over time.3
9788623037carrying capacityLargest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support, K4
9788623038desnsity dependent factorfactor that limits population growth and has greater effect in dense populations than less dense populations5
9788623039density independent factorlimiting factor that affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of population size6
9788623040limiting factorAny biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms.7
9788623041logistic growthWhen limiting factors restrict size of population to the carrying capacity of the environment. Forms an S-shaped curve.8
9788623042k-selected speciesSpecies that produce a few, often fairly large offspring but invest a great deal of time and energy to ensure that most of those offspring reach reproductive age.9
9788623043r-selected speciesLife history traits maximize reproductive success in uncrowded environments. Many small offspring that mature quickly, little if any parental care.10
9788623044life history patternA set of traits related to growth, survival, and reproduction such as age-specific mortality, life span, age at first reproduction, and number of breeding events.11
9788623045survivorship curvea graph showing the decline in numbers of a cohort over time12
9788724832wolves in a stable environment would be considerediteroparous, k-selected13
9788736767rabbits are generallyiteroparous, r-selected14
9788744738salmon have one reproductive event and so are consideredsemelparous15
9790001520fecundityThe potential reproductive capacity of a female in a population16
9803890695age structure graph illustrating rapid population growth17
9803910114age structure graph showing negative growth trend18

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