AP Biology Flashcards: Population Ecology

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Population Ecology, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the term for the birth rate minus the death rate?

Answer: Natural increase rate. Indicates whether population is growing or declining naturally.

Flashcard 2: Define biotic potential.

Answer: The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal conditions. Theoretical maximum when environmental resistance is absent.

Flashcard 3: Define the term 'emigration.'

Answer: The movement of individuals out of a population. Reduces population size and may decrease genetic diversity.

Flashcard 4: Define biotic potential.

Answer: The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal conditions. Theoretical maximum when environmental resistance is absent.

Flashcard 5: Which type of growth results in an S-shaped curve?

Answer: Logistic growth. Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity.

Flashcard 6: Define K-selected species.

Answer: Species that produce fewer offspring with high survival rates. High parental investment with greater offspring survival.

Flashcard 7: What is the definition of population density?

Answer: Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume. Measures how crowded individuals are in a given space.

Flashcard 8: What is an example of a keystone species?

Answer: Sea otters. Disproportionately large impact on ecosystem structure and function.

Flashcard 9: State the formula for calculating population density.

Answer: Population density = $\frac{N}{A}$, where N is number of individuals and A is area. Basic formula dividing total individuals by total area.

Flashcard 10: What is the formula for exponential growth of a population?

Answer: N_t = N_0 e^{rt}, where N_t is future population size. Shows compound growth over time with intrinsic growth rate $r$.

Flashcard 11: Define carrying capacity (K) in logistic growth.

Answer: The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.

Flashcard 12: Which term describes the role of a species in its ecosystem?

Answer: Ecological niche. Includes habitat requirements, feeding behavior, and interactions.

Flashcard 13: What is the definition of a metapopulation?

Answer: A group of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal. Allows recolonization if local populations go extinct.

Flashcard 14: What is the definition of a metapopulation?

Answer: A group of spatially separated populations connected by dispersal. Allows recolonization if local populations go extinct.

Flashcard 15: What is the definition of population density?

Answer: Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume. Measures how crowded individuals are in a given space.

Flashcard 16: State the formula for calculating population density.

Answer: Population density = $\frac{N}{A}$, where N is number of individuals and A is area. Basic formula dividing total individuals by total area.

Flashcard 17: Identify a factor that can cause a population bottleneck.

Answer: Environmental disasters. Sudden events that drastically reduce population size.

Flashcard 18: Define K-selected species.

Answer: Species that produce fewer offspring with high survival rates. High parental investment with greater offspring survival.

Flashcard 19: What is the term for a population decline to near extinction?

Answer: Population bottleneck. Severely reduces genetic diversity and population size.

Flashcard 20: Identify a density-independent factor affecting population size.

Answer: Natural disasters. Affects populations regardless of their density or size.

Flashcard 21: What is the term for a population decline to near extinction?

Answer: Population bottleneck. Severely reduces genetic diversity and population size.

Flashcard 22: Identify a factor that can cause a population bottleneck.

Answer: Environmental disasters. Sudden events that drastically reduce population size.

Flashcard 23: Define the term 'gene flow.'

Answer: The transfer of genetic material between populations. Movement of alleles between populations maintains genetic diversity.

Flashcard 24: Identify a characteristic of a Type III survivorship curve.

Answer: High mortality rate early in life. Many offspring die young due to high predation or environmental stress.

Flashcard 25: Define carrying capacity (K) in logistic growth.

Answer: The maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Determined by available resources and environmental conditions.

Flashcard 26: Identify an effect of high population density on individuals.

Answer: Increased competition for resources. Dense populations experience greater resource scarcity and stress.

Flashcard 27: Which type of selection favors average individuals in a population?

Answer: Stabilizing selection. Reduces variation by favoring intermediate phenotypes.

Flashcard 28: What does a population pyramid represent?

Answer: The age and sex distribution of a population. Shows population growth trends and demographic patterns.

Flashcard 29: Which type of growth results in an S-shaped curve?

Answer: Logistic growth. Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity.

Flashcard 30: Define the term 'emigration.'

Answer: The movement of individuals out of a population. Reduces population size and may decrease genetic diversity.

Flashcard 31: Which type of competition is between different species?

Answer: Interspecific competition. Competition between different species for similar resources.