Population Growth

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to population growth from Chapter 10.

Population Growth

The difference between births and deaths in a population.

Unlimited Population Growth

A type of growth characterized by birth rates that exceed death rates, resulting in 'J'-shaped growth curves.

Geometric Growth

Population growth that occurs when breeding happens seasonally, leading to a geometric growth curve.

Exponential Growth

Continuous population growth that results in an exponential growth curve, typically seen in small organisms.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain based on available resources.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that occurs in conditions of limited resources, resulting in 'S'-shaped growth curves.

Density-Dependent Factor

A population factor whose effects vary with population density.

Density-Independent Factor

A mortality factor whose effects are not influenced by changes in population size.

Semelparity

A reproductive strategy where an organism reproduces once in its lifetime and then dies.

Iteroparity

A reproductive strategy where an organism reproduces multiple times throughout its life.

r-Selected Species

Species that reproduce quickly and produce many offspring, typically in unstable environments.

K-Selected Species

Species that produce fewer offspring and invest more resources in their care, typically in stable environments.

Life History Strategies

The set of physiological and behavioral traits that influence reproductive success and survivorship in populations.