Question

a. birth rate
b. carrying capacity
c. limiting factor
d. death rate

1. what type of relationship is most likely represented in the graph below?

a. predator - prey
b. mutualistic
c. parasitic
d. invasive species
making connections

1. describe how changes in limiting factors can impact population growth use evidence from the reading.
2. explain at least 3 ways population is controlled

Explanation:

For the first multiple - choice question about the graph, in population ecology, the carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a population that the environment can support. In the graph, as the population grows, it levels off, which represents the carrying capacity. For the second multiple - choice question, in a predator - prey relationship, the populations of predators and prey fluctuate in a cyclical pattern. When the prey population increases, the predator population has more food and also increases. As the predator population increases, more prey are eaten, causing the prey population to decline, which then leads to a decline in the predator population due to lack of food. This is consistent with the graph shown. For the short - answer questions, limiting factors such as food availability, space, and predation can limit population growth. Population can be controlled through predation (predators eat prey reducing their numbers), competition for resources (limiting growth as resources are scarce), and disease (which can kill off individuals in a population).

Answer:

1. b. Carrying capacity
2. a. Predator - prey
3. Limiting factors such as food availability can reduce population growth as individuals may starve. Space limitations can prevent population expansion. Predation is a factor where predators consume prey, decreasing the prey population. Population is controlled by predation (predators hunt and reduce prey numbers), competition for resources (scarce resources limit growth), and disease (illness can kill individuals and lower population size).