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Population Ecology Fundamentals
Biology
This document covers the core concepts of population ecology, including population size determination, factors affecting population change, direct and indirect counting techniques, key terminology, population growth models (geometric and logistic), and interactions within the environment such as predation, competition, and symbiosis.
Ecology
Populations
Environment
34 Questions
Medium
Ages 14+
Sep 7, 2026
About this Study Set
This study set covers Biology through
34 practice questions.
This document covers the core concepts of population ecology, including population size determination, factors affecting population change, direct and indirect counting techniques, key terminology, population growth models (geometric and logistic), and interactions within the environment such as predation, competition, and symbiosis. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 34 questions from the
Population Ecology Fundamentals study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
What is population ecology the study of?
-
A
Populations in relation to their environment and social interactions.
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B
The physical environment of an ecosystem.
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C
The evolution of species over time.
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D
The distribution of different species in a habitat.
2
Which of the following is NOT listed as a study area within population ecology?
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A
Population size
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B
Interactions in the environment
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C
Social organisation & Succession
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D
Geological formations.
3
What defines a population in ecological terms?
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A
A group of different species that occupy the same habitat.
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B
A group of the same species that occupies the same habitat at the same time and are able to interbreed.
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C
Any group of organisms living together.
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D
Individuals of the same species that can survive in different habitats.
4
Which factors affect population size?
-
A
Natality, mortality, and migration.
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B
Predation, competition, and symbiosis.
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C
Carrying capacity and environmental resistance.
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D
Birth rate, death rate, and immigration.
5
What is natality in the context of population ecology?
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A
The movement of individuals out of a population.
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B
The death rate within a population.
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C
The birth rate within a population.
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D
The rate of species evolution.
6
What is mortality in the context of population ecology?
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A
The birth rate within a population.
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B
The movement of individuals into a population.
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C
The death rate within a population.
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D
The rate of population growth.
7
Immigration is defined as:
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A
Individuals leaving a population.
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B
The birth rate of a population.
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C
Movement into a population.
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D
The death rate of a population.
8
Emigration is defined as:
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A
Movement into a population.
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B
Individuals leaving a population.
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C
The birth rate of a population.
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D
The death rate of a population.
9
Which formula represents population change?
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A
(Deaths + Emigration) - (Births + Immigration)
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B
(Number of births + Immigration) - (Deaths + Emigration)
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C
(Number of births + Deaths) - (Immigration + Emigration)
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D
(Immigration + Emigration) - (Births + Deaths)
10
Direct techniques for determining population size:
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A
Estimate population size where it is difficult to determine the actual number.
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B
Determine the actual population sizes.
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C
Are used for smaller or fast-moving organisms.
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D
Involve mark and recapture methods.
11
Which direct technique involves taking an aerial photo to count individuals?
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A
Census
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B
Mark and recapture
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C
Aerial photography
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D
Quadrat method
12
A census is a direct method primarily used for determining the actual number of:
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A
Animals in a forest.
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B
Humans in an area or country.
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C
Insects in a field.
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D
Plants in a garden.
13
Indirect counting techniques are used when:
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A
The population size is very large and easily visible.
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B
It is difficult to determine the actual number of organisms.
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C
The organisms are slow-moving.
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D
Aerial photography is available.
14
The Mark and Recapture method is an example of:
-
A
A direct counting technique.
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B
An indirect counting technique.
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C
A method for determining species diversity.
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D
A way to measure environmental resistance.
15
In the Mark and Recapture formula (N=MC/R), what does 'N' represent?
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A
The number of marked individuals in the second sample.
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B
The total number of individuals estimated in the given population.
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C
The number of individuals captured and marked in the first sample.
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D
The number of individuals captured in the second sample.
16
What is a 'species' defined as in the text?
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A
A group of organisms that share the same habitat.
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B
A group of organisms capable of interbreeding, producing fertile offspring.
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C
A population that is endangered.
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D
All living factors in an ecosystem.
17
What is an 'ecosystem'?
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A
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
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B
The specific area where an organism inhabits.
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C
The sum of all biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.
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D
The environment in which an organism completes its lifecycle.
18
Abiotic factors are:
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A
Living factors of an ecosystem.
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B
Non-living factors in an ecosystem.
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C
The interactions between species.
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D
The total number of individuals in a population.
19
Biotic factors are:
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A
Non-living factors in an ecosystem.
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B
Living factors of an ecosystem.
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C
The physical environment of an ecosystem.
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D
The carrying capacity of an environment.
20
What is 'environmental resistance'?
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A
The rate at which a population grows.
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B
All factors that are limiting the biotic potential and numerical increase of a population.
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C
The number of individuals an ecosystem can support.
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D
The process of species becoming extinct.
21
Carrying capacity is defined as:
-
A
The total number of species in an ecosystem.
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B
The number of individuals that leave a population.
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C
The largest number of individuals in a biological species that an ecosystem can support over an indefinite time.
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D
The rate of immigration into a population.
22
A stable population is one with:
-
A
A rapidly growing size.
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B
A zero growth rate, neither growing nor shrinking in size.
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C
A declining population size.
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D
A size that constantly exceeds the carrying capacity.
23
Density-dependent factors have a direct correlation to:
-
A
Natural disasters.
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B
The size of the population in an area.
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C
The abiotic factors of an environment.
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D
The genetic diversity of a species.
24
Density-independent factors exert influence on a population:
-
A
Only when the population is large.
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B
Regardless of its size.
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C
Only during specific seasons.
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D
Based on the carrying capacity.
25
What is a 'closed population'?
-
A
A population with high immigration and emigration.
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B
A population where only natality and mortality influence its size.
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C
A population that has reached its carrying capacity.
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D
A population with a declining birth rate.
26
Geometric growth is characteristic of:
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A
Mammals.
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B
Higher-order organisms.
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C
Micro-organisms like bacteria and protists.
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D
Large, slow-moving animals.
27
The lag phase in geometric growth occurs because:
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A
The birth rate is higher than the death rate.
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B
Resources become limited.
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C
Individuals may be acclimatizing, finding mates, or are sexually immature.
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D
The population is rapidly decreasing.
28
Logistic growth is also known as:
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A
J-shaped growth curve.
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B
Geometric growth curve.
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C
S-shaped growth curve.
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D
Exponential growth curve.
29
Which phase of logistic growth occurs when the carrying capacity of the environment has been reached?
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A
Lag phase
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B
Exponential growth phase
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C
Decelerating growth phase
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D
Equilibrium/stationary phase
30
Predation is defined as:
-
A
Competition between individuals of the same species.
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B
A close physical association between two different organisms.
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C
The act of preying on another animal.
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D
The process whereby one species out-competes another.
31
Interspecific competition occurs between:
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A
Members of the same species.
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B
Different species.
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C
Predators and prey.
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D
Parasites and hosts.
32
Intraspecific competition occurs between:
-
A
Different species.
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B
Predators and prey.
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C
Members of the same species.
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D
Symbiotic partners.
33
What is mutualism?
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A
A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.
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B
A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits without harming the other.
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C
A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.
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D
Competition between different species.
34
Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where:
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A
One species benefits, and the other is harmed.
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B
Both species benefit.
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C
One species benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor benefits.
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D
Individuals of the same species compete.
