OpenStax Biology 2e Instructor Answer Guide
Biology 2e
Unit 8: Ecology
Chapter 45: Population and Community Ecology
Visual Connection Questions
1. As this graph shows, population density typically decreases with increasing body size. Why do
you think this is the case?
Smaller animals require less food and other resources, so the environment can support more of
them.
2. If the major food source of the seals declines due to pollution or overfishing, which of the
following would likely occur?
a. The carrying capacity of seals would decrease, as would the seal population.
, OpenStax Biology 2e Instructor Answer Guide
3. Age structure diagrams for rapidly growing, slow growing and stable populations are shown
in stages 1 through 3. What type of population change do you think stage 4 represents?
Stage 4 represents a population that is decreasing.
Review Questions
4. Which of the following methods will tell an ecologist about both the size and density of a
population?
c. quadrat
5. Which of the following is best at showing the life expectancy of an individual within a
population?
d. life table
6. Humans have which type of survivorship curve?
a. Type I
7. How is a clumped population distribution beneficial for prey animals?
a. Being a member of a larger group provides protection for each individual from predators.
8. Which of the following is associated with long-term parental care?
a. few offspring
9. Which of the following is associated with multiple reproductive episodes during a species’
lifetime?
b. iteroparity
10. Which of the following is associated with the reproductive potential of a species?
d. fecundity
11. Species with limited resources usually exhibit a(n) ________ growth curve.
a. logistic
Biology 2e
Unit 8: Ecology
Chapter 45: Population and Community Ecology
Visual Connection Questions
1. As this graph shows, population density typically decreases with increasing body size. Why do
you think this is the case?
Smaller animals require less food and other resources, so the environment can support more of
them.
2. If the major food source of the seals declines due to pollution or overfishing, which of the
following would likely occur?
a. The carrying capacity of seals would decrease, as would the seal population.
, OpenStax Biology 2e Instructor Answer Guide
3. Age structure diagrams for rapidly growing, slow growing and stable populations are shown
in stages 1 through 3. What type of population change do you think stage 4 represents?
Stage 4 represents a population that is decreasing.
Review Questions
4. Which of the following methods will tell an ecologist about both the size and density of a
population?
c. quadrat
5. Which of the following is best at showing the life expectancy of an individual within a
population?
d. life table
6. Humans have which type of survivorship curve?
a. Type I
7. How is a clumped population distribution beneficial for prey animals?
a. Being a member of a larger group provides protection for each individual from predators.
8. Which of the following is associated with long-term parental care?
a. few offspring
9. Which of the following is associated with multiple reproductive episodes during a species’
lifetime?
b. iteroparity
10. Which of the following is associated with the reproductive potential of a species?
d. fecundity
11. Species with limited resources usually exhibit a(n) ________ growth curve.
a. logistic
